‘I’m deeply sorry’: Prince Philip apologises to crash victim in personal letter

Prince Philip has finally apologised to the woman who was injured when his car collided with hers on a quiet road near the royal family’s Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

Emma Fairweather broke her wrist on last Friday, when the 97-year-old duke pulled out of a side road and hit the Kia she was travelling in, along with a friend – who was driving the vehicle – and her nine-month-old baby.

Although she received a note from the Queen, whose most-trusted lady in waiting delivered the Monarch’s “warmest good wishes following the accident” via a telephone call, Emma had told reporters she was upset she had not yet received a simple apology from the senior prince.

All that changed on Wednesday though, when Emma was delivered a personalised note from Philip, who admitted his fault in the accident.

British paper The Mirror, which has conducted several interviews with Emma since the crash, did not publish its contents until Sunday.

“I would like you to know how very sorry I am for my part in the accident at the Babingley crossroads,” the letter reads, according to the Sunday Mirror.

“I have been across that crossing any number of times and I know very well the amount of traffic that uses that main road.

“It was a bright sunny day and at about three in the afternoon, the sun was low over the Wash. In other words, the sun was shining low over the main road.”

“In normal conditions I would have no difficulty in seeing traffic coming from the Dersingham direction, but I can only imagine that I failed to see the car coming, and I am very contrite about the consequences.”

Philip revealed he was “shaken” after his Land Rover overturned when it collided with the Kia and wasn’t aware of the extent of her injuries when he left the scene.

“I was somewhat shaken after the accident, but I was greatly relieved that none of you were seriously injured,” he wrote.

“As a crowd was beginning to gather, I was advised to return to Sandringham House by a local Police Officer. I have since learned that you suffered a broken arm. I am deeply sorry about this injury.

“I wish you a speedy recovery from a very distressing experience.”

Read more: Prince Philip crash victim says duke should be prosecuted

Emma told The Mirror she was “chuffed” after receiving the letter and appreciated that Philip had signed it himself.

“A lot of people said it was unrealistic that I wanted that human kindness from Prince Philip – which is what I saw this letter as,” she said.

The letter of apology rounds of a tumultuous week for the royals, who suffered through the worst round of negative press they’ve had in years for their handling of the situation.

Just two days after the accident, Philip was pictured back behind the wheel, but this time without a seatbelt. Police confirmed they had spoken to the prince and given him a warning about obeying road rules.

The crash also sparked heated debate about whether Philip should still be driving at age 97, and lead to a wider debate about tougher rules for elderly people wanting to get behind the wheel.

Do you think it was nice that Philip sent a personal letter to the victim? What do you think about what he wrote?