Dutch Princess Catharina-Amalia Undergoes Surgery After Horseback Riding Accident

Princess Catharina-Amalia underwent surgery to repair a fracture to her upper arm after being hospitalized over a horseback-riding accident, the Dutch royal family said.

Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands, the 21-year-old heir to the Dutch throne, has undergone surgery following a horseback riding accident that left her with a fractured upper arm. The incident occurred on Tuesday when the princess was thrown from her horse, prompting immediate medical attention and hospitalization.

The Dutch Royal Palace confirmed on Wednesday that the Princess of Orange was being treated at UMC Utrecht, where the surgical procedure to repair the fracture was successfully completed. “The surgery went well,” the palace said in a statement. “She will remain in the UMC Utrecht for monitoring until tomorrow.”

The future queen of the Netherlands broke her arm after being thrown from her horse on Tuesday

The injury has led to a reshuffling of the royal family’s engagements. A summer photo session initially scheduled for Thursday at Paleis Huis ten Bosch, the official residence of the Dutch royal family, has been postponed to June 30 to allow for the princess’s recovery. Additionally, Queen Máxima canceled her scheduled appearance at the CGAP Congress in Amsterdam, while King Willem-Alexander attended the opening of the Holland Festival alone.

An earlier palace statement issued on Tuesday announced the injury and the princess’s immediate medical needs. “The Princess of Orange broke her upper arm today after falling from her horse. She will undergo surgery at the UMC Utrecht,” the statement read.

The princess is the daughter of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima

Princess Catharina-Amalia, who is an experienced equestrian, has often been photographed riding her horse, Mojito, on the royal family’s official channels. The accident echoes a similar incident last year involving Princess Anne of the United Kingdom.

Princess Anne, 74, suffered a head injury after a horse-related accident at her Gatcombe Park estate. She was hospitalized for five days and experienced a concussion and memory loss. Speaking about the experience, Anne reflected, “You’re jolly lucky…if you can continue to be more or less compos mentis,” and emphasized the unpredictability of such accidents.

The 21-year-old is the heir to the Dutch throne

Princess Anne has a long history of horse-related incidents. At the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, she fell during a bad jump and later reported having “almost nonexistent” memory of the day.

Despite previous injuries, Anne is expected to participate in the upcoming Trooping the Colour ceremony on horseback alongside Prince William and Prince Edward.

Princess Catharina-Amalia’s recovery is expected to continue under close medical supervision, with the royal family adjusting public commitments as needed to support her return to health.

The royals have been forced to hit the brakes on their busy schedule as a result of the accident