Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence shared an update on his wife Princess Anne's condition after visiting her at Southmead Hospital on Tuesday, where she remains hospitalised after reportedly being injured by a horse at her Gatcombe estate over the weekend.
The Princess Royal, 73, is believed to have suffered minor injuries to her head and a concussion after being kicked by a horse on Sunday evening. Following the incident, Anne was admitted to the south-west England Hospital, which is a major trauma centre.
As he left through the main entrance of the hospital at around 2 pm, Sir Timothy said: "She’s doing fine – slow but sure." Asked if he brought anything for the Princess Royal, Sir Tim said: "Just a few little treats from home." The doting husband was carrying what appeared to be a cool bag.
He added: "‘She is recovering well, thank you. We are both profoundly grateful to the medical team and hospital support staff for their expert care - and to the emergency services who were all so wonderful at the scene.’‘We are both deeply touched by all the kind messages we have received from so many people near and far. It means a great deal."
An onlooker added: "Sir Timothy Lawrence spent two hours with his wife Princess Anne at Southmead Hospital. He left with the same blue hold-all and drove himself off hospital grounds"
Sir Timothy arrived by car at the main entrance of Southmead Hospital, north Bristol, shortly after midday on Tuesday where he and Anne reportedly ate lunch together.
An onlooker told HELO!: "Sir Timothy Laurence entered Southmead Hospital around midday on Tuesday and his arrival went relatively unnoticed by visitors in the lobby.
"He was greeted with a handshake from members of hospital staff who walked him through the foyer and took him to Princess Anne’s bedside. He was seen carrying a large blue hold-all, presumably of Anne’s things for her ongoing treatment after suffering a concussion. I saw cameras outside and thought Princess Anne was going to be going home but it was her husband coming in, he seemed very thankful to the staff he met."
Anne arrived at the hospital on Sunday via an air ambulance which collected her from her Gatcombe Park estate where the incident took place.
News of Anne's accident was shared on Monday.
The statement read: "The Princess Royal has sustained minor injuries and concussion following an incident on the Gatcombe Park estate yesterday evening. Her Royal Highness remains in Southmead Hospital, Bristol, as a precautionary measure for observation and is expected to make a full and swift recovery.
"The King has been kept closely informed and joins the whole Royal Family in sending his fondest love and well-wishes to The Princess for a speedy recovery."
It's understood that Sir Timothy and Anne's children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall were on the estate at the time of the incident. Sir Timothy accompanied his wife as she was taken to hospital.
A palace spokesperson revealed that Her Royal Highness' hospital stay is merely precautionary and that she is "recovering well." They added that Anne is "in a comfortable condition and is being kept in hospital as a precautionary measure for further observation".