‘It was a shock’: Prince Philip pens letters thanking fans following car crash

Prince Philip has sent out letters thanking fans for their “kind messages” following his horrific car crash in Sandringham last month.

The 97-year-old said he was “grateful” for the messages and that the accident was “a shock for all concerned”.

“The Duke of Edinburgh thanks you for your kind message of good wishes following the recent accident near Sandringham,” the letter read.

“It was a shock for all concerned. The Norfolk emergency services were quick to respond and assist those involved. Prince Philip is grateful to you for taking the trouble to write.”

The letter was signed by Philip’s correspondence secretary, Suzy Lethbridge.

A royal fan, who goes by the name Crown Replies on Instagram, shared a picture of the letter on social media. The address simply read “Buckingham Palace” and it was sent First Class by air mail.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtgBU7LnCEm/?utm_source=ig_embed

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

The Duke of Edinburgh was driving his custom Land Rover Freelander when he hit a Kia, with two women and a baby inside, on January 17. While the duke escaped the crash unhurt, Emma Fairweather, the passenger in the Kia, was left with a broken wrist.

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 at the time.

All that changed a few days later however, when she was delivered a personalised note from Philip who admitted his fault in the accident.

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

He continued: “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.”

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 out thank you letters? What do you think about what he wrote?