Britain's Princess Anne is gradually returning to royal duties after recovering from a concussion sustained in a recent incident involving a horse.
The 73-year-old royal made her first public appearance since her injury as she attended the National Disabled Riding Championships at Hartpury University and Hartpury College near Gloucestershire on Friday.
Anne was delighted to resume her duties, a Buckingham Palace spokesman confirmed to The Times.
“She was very happy to be back at work… She always planned to visit today, she always visits the national championship and gives out the awards as she did today. We hope she will be back to work at full capacity very soon,” the spokesman said.
Anne's return comes after a period of recovery from a concussion she suffered in June. The Palace had announced that the Princess Royal had “suffered minor injuries and concussion following an incident” at her Gatcombe Park estate.
Although specific details of the incident were not revealed, it was reported that Anne was walking within the protected perimeter of her estate when the accident occurred. She was initially treated at home before being hospitalized as a precaution, with her husband by her side.
The RDA National Championships are the premier event for disabled riders and feature a full programme of performances and entrants competing at world-renowned facilities in Hartpury and taking part in classes ranging from dressage and jumping to carriage driving and vaulting.
Anne's long-standing relationship with the RDA began in November 1971, when she became a patron, and she has served as the organization's president since March 1986. The RDA is dedicated to improving the lives of more than 20,000 disabled children and adults through equestrian therapy. This year's championships also marked the group's 55th anniversary.
The Princess Royal was joined by the chair of the GDR board of trustees, Helena Vega Lozano, and Michael Bishop, the charity's chief executive. Bishop praised the princess for her unwavering support, saying, according to the BBC, that “she holds a very special place in the hearts of the entire GDR community and has helped us celebrate many important milestones and provided invaluable support for over five decades.”
