UK

Anne to open A&E unit during second round of public duties since horse accident

The princess is on a phased return to official engagements after she suffered concussion.

The Princess Royal is to carry out her second batch of public engagements since her accident
The Princess Royal is to carry out her second batch of public engagements since her accident (Cameron Smith/PA)

The Princess Royal is to visit an A&E unit and a showground on Friday as she continues her phased return to public duties.

Anne, 73, will officially open the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust’s new emergency department at Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester.

The visit to the £35 million unit comes nearly four weeks after the princess had her own encounter with the emergency services after being hit by a horse while out walking.

The Princess Royal was injured last month while out walking on her Gatcombe estate
The Princess Royal was injured last month while out walking on her Gatcombe estate (Aaron Chown/PA)

She will also open Kildare Hall, a new single span building at The Showground, in Malvern, Worcestershire, as patron of the Three Counties Agricultural Society on Friday.

The princess carried out her first public engagement since her accident last Friday when she presented awards at an equine competition at Hartpury University and Hartpury College in Gloucestershire.

It was part of her gradual return following her concussion and minor head injuries.

She was rushed to Southmead Hospital in Bristol on June 23, staying for five nights after being injured while out walking on her Gatcombe estate in Gloucestershire.

Anne’s medical team said her head injuries were consistent with a potential impact from a horse’s head or legs but her concussion meant precise details of how the incident came about are not clear.

The Prince and Princess of Wales personally congratulated Anne on her return to public appearances, calling her a “super trooper” and adding “so great to see you back so soon! W & C x”.