Princess Anne set for major public return nearly one year after rush to hospital

Princess Anne is set to ride horseback during this year's Trooping the Colour next weekend. The yearly event has been held to mark the sovereign's official birthday since the accession of King George IV in 1820, except during the world wars and a national strike in 1955.

The event was previously held at Windsor Castle in 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic. In 2021, the event was also modified amid ongoing precautions and restrictions.

The traditional Trooping the Colour parade has normally seen the monarch riding horseback - although the monarch will not again this year.

Although she is usually joined by her brother, Anne, 74, is set to still ride horseback at this year's event.

The royal, who will celebrate her 75th birthday later this summer, plans to ride as gold stick, the colonel of the Blues and Royals.

Anne's appearance is set to be the first time she has ridden in public since she was taken to hospital last June with head injuries said to be consistent with being struck by a horse.

Speaking after the incident, Anne - who returned to public duties three weeks later with a black eye - said she could not “remember a single thing”.

Although Charles will ride in a carriage alongside Queen Camilla, Anne is set to be joined by her nephew and younger brother.

The Prince of Wales will ride horseback as colonel of the Welsh Guard. Prince Edward will ride as colonel of the Scots Guards and London Guards.

Anne's husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, rode in a carriage with the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester last year.