The Princess Royal is in hospital after suffering minor injuries to her head and concussion when it is believed she was kicked by a horse on her British estate.

Anne, a skilled horsewoman who competed in the 1976 Montreal Olympics, was walking on her Gloucestershire estate on Sunday night (local time) when the incident happened.

Emergency services were sent to the estate. After medical care at the scene, the princess was taken to Southmead Hospital in Bristol for tests, treatment and observation.

“The Princess Royal has sustained minor injuries and concussion following an incident on the Gatcombe Park estate yesterday evening,” Buckingham Palace said on Monday.

“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.”

The 73-year-old princess, who is the King’s only sister, is understood to be awake. Due to her concussion, however, precise details of the incident are yet to be ascertained.

Although the exact cause of the injuries is unconfirmed, Anne’s medical team have said her head injuries are consistent with a potential impact from a horse’s head or legs.

It is understood the princess was walking within the protected perimeter of Gatcombe Park estate when the incident occurred. No other person is believed to have been involved.

Her husband, Vice Admiral Tim Laurence, who was on the estate at the time, went to hospital with her.

“Her royal highness is recovering well, is in a comfortable condition and is being kept in hospital as a precautionary measure for further observation,” a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said.

Anne’s daughter Zara Tindall and son Peter Phillips were also on the estate, although it is not known who raised the alarm.

Princess Anne is a talented horse rider. Photo: Getty

The princess’s accident is the latest health upset to the hit the royal family.

The King and the Princess of Wales were diagnosed with and are still being treated for cancer while Sarah, Duchess of York (the former wife of the King’s brother Prince Andrew), has had skin cancer.

Anne is a key member of the King’s slimmed-down working monarchy, and has played an important role as she stepped up in support of her brother amid his condition.

The princess, often dubbed the hardest-working royal, is known for her no-nonsense approach and her commitment to royal duty.

At Trooping the Colour earlier in June, she was pictured expertly keeping her horse under control when it appeared agitated.

Anne will miss several engagements this week, including the state banquet for the Japanese state visit on Tuesday and a visit to Canada.

-Reuters, AP and PA