Royals

Prince Philip ‘will not be prosecuted over horror Sandringham car crash’

Feb 15, 2019

Prince Philip has avoided prosecution following a horror car crash last month. Source: Getty

Prince Philip will not face prosecution over his horror car crash near Sandringham estate last month, after the shock smash left one woman with a broken wrist.

According to the BBC, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has decided against prosecuting the 97-year-old – claiming it would not be in the public interest.

The CPS have reportedly considered the collision and the prince’s actions following the event and felt it was not the right course to take.

“We took into account all of the circumstances in this case, including the level of culpability, the age of the driver and the surrender of the driving license,” CPS East of England Chief Crown Prosector Chris Long reportedly said.

The decision comes just days after Philip chose to voluntarily give up his driving licence

“After careful consideration The Duke of Edinburgh has taken the decision to voluntarily surrender his driving licence,” a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said.

The Duke of Edinburgh was left shaken last month when the car he was driving collided with a Kia carrying two women and a nine-month-old baby on a quiet road in Sandringham, Norfolk. While the duke escaped unhurt, one of the other car’s passengers, Emma Fairweather, broke her wrist.

The prince wrote a letter of apology to Ms Fairweather following the accident, admitting his fault in the collision and wishing her all the best in her recovery.

“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.”

“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,” he reportedly added.

Philip also 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.”