In 2019, the news of the car accident went around the world Prince Philip97 years old at the time. Fortunately, the incident did not have serious consequences, but many wondered if the elderly royal was still able to drive. After a few weeks, the Duke of Edinburgh himself gave up his licence. The incident, however, had some controversial consequences. In particular, one of the passengers of the other vehicle involved claimed that the reconstruction of the facts presented by the prince and reiterated by Buckingham Palace was incorrect.
The accident
Shortly after 3pm on 17 January 2019, on the A149 road, near the estate of Sandringham and not far from the village of Babingley, the Land Rover driven by Prince Philip collided with a Kia in which were two women, the driver Ellie Townsend, the passenger Emma Fairweather and Townsend’s nine-month-old son. The prince’s car, according to various testimonies reported by the BBC and the Guardian, would have overturned after going off the road. Filippo never lost consciousness, but the passers-by who helped him out of the cockpit immediately noticed that he was shaken and scared. A completely obvious reaction. Immediately afterwards the duke wanted to ensure the conditions of the three passengers in the Kia.
The Norfolk police, who arrived immediately after the clash, immediately did both Philipgive the driver of the other car a breathalyzer test: “It is police practice to subject drivers involved in accidents to alcohol tests”the police explained in an official note cited by the Guardian. “We can confirm that both drivers underwent a breathalyzer test and tested negative.”
The two women were taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn, while the prince he was taken back to the Palace, where he would be examined by a doctor. A statement from the Palace also specified: “On medical advice the Duke of Edinburgh attended the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn for a preventive check-up. This confirmed that His Royal Highness did not suffer any injuries of concern. The Duke has returned to Sandringham.”
The police added: “The driver of the Kia suffered cuts, while the passenger has a broken arm”. The nine-month-old baby was unharmed. Buckingham Palace also referenced the clash in a brief statement, giving updates on her husband’s health Elizabeth II: “The Duke of Edinburgh was involved in a road accident with another vehicle this afternoon. The Duke is not injured. The accident occurred near Sandringham. Local police attended the scene.”
That vice (permitted by the security protocol) of Prince Philip
At the moment of impact the Duke of Edinburgh he would not have been wearing his seat belt, as reported by ANSA. A detail that caused a lot of noise at the time, adding to the controversy over whether Filippo should continue to drive despite his age, although his driving licence, apparently, had been renewed based on the kingdom’s regulations on the matter. Buckingham Palace, mentioned by the Guardian, underlined in this regard: “The Duke of Edinburgh has a valid driving license and has completed all the usual DVLA procedures,” that is, the process of the “Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency”, the British government agency that issues driving licenses in England, Scotland and Wales.
Not only that: two days after the accident the prince was photographed near the entrance to Sandringham, while driving a Land Rover Freelander again without seat belt. The images were published by the Daily Mail and the Sun. According to what was reported by the BBC, the police spoke to Filippo after the shots were released, but the content of that dialogue was never made known.
The issue of the royal family’s failure to wear seat belts is rather controversial (remember that on that fatal 31 August 1997, under the Alma Tunnel, Lady Diana He wasn’t wearing his seatbelt. The doctors and police officers maintained that, if he had done so, perhaps he would have had a concrete hope of salvation): often, in fact, the royals travel in their cars without this fundamental precaution. The reason would be, highlighted security expert Michael Chandler to the Daily Mail, in “security considerations” of the members of the house. “As you can perhaps imagine there are some concerns about getting (the royals) out of the vehicle as quickly as possible. There is likely to be a risk-based approach…”
Chandler continued by highlighting that the presence or absence of seat belts would also be linked to a problem of practicality: “If they (royals) get in and out of a car, they will be less likely to wear their seatbelt every time.” However, the expert warned, “They actually wear their seatbelts a lot more than we think. On the occasions when they are traveling around London or on motorways at relatively high speeds, they will wear their seatbelts.” In any case, Chandler assured, it is very unlikely that the police will challenge the safety regulations designed for the royal family. As a result, Windsors are usually neither warned nor fined for not wearing a seatbelt.
“The sun in the eyes”
When confronted by the police, Prince Philip claimed that he had been blinded by the sun, as reported by the Independent. He had driven down that road dozens of times, but that day the light blinded him for a split second, causing the accident. “The sun was very low on the horizon”a witness, Roy Warne, who helped the duke to get out of the cockpit. Furthermore, as News Sky.com highlighted, on 19 January 2019 the Queen’s husband underwent an eye examination, from which no particular problem emerged.
The royal biographer Dickie Arbiter declared to Us Weekly: “The road where the accident occurred is known for (similar) collisions, all speed-related. Prince Philip was on a smaller side road, about to merge onto a larger one, was looking towards the sun and did not see the other car coming…”.
However, the passenger in the Kia, Emma Fairweathertold another version of events, taken up by People: “I don’t remember it being sunny that day. I never wanted to put myself in the position of having to say that the duke wasn’t being truthful. But I really don’t remember it being sunny that day. That’s all I can say…We complained because it (the weather) was miserable and cloudy that morning.”
Memories, however, can be imprecise. Furthermore, as often happens in countries likeEnglandthe climate can change several times and suddenly within a day. According to reports from that afternoon, then, the Duke of Edinburgh he wouldn’t wear sunglasses. A detail that could have helped him in that situation. It cannot be ruled out that he underestimated or did not consider at all the possibility that the sun could bother him, given that he knew that road well.
Many also wondered why Filippo was alone in the car, without even a man from the car escort. In fact, that may have been a slight, especially from the point of view of the safety of Elizabeth II’s husband: “It’s impossible to keep (Prince Philip) under control”a source quoted by La Repubblica said resignedly. “Since… he retired from public commitments, he has done what he wants.”
Apologies from the Duke of Edinburgh
In an interview with the Sunday Mirror on 19 January 2019, Emma Fairweather also revealed that she had not received an apology from the prince consort. “It would mean a lot to me if Prince Philip apologized, but I have no idea whether he is truly sorry.”. The woman also reiterated that the weather would be that day“cloudy”, again contradicting Philip’s statements.
A spokesperson for Buckingham Palacehowever, confirmed to People: “A message of full support was sent to both the driver and passenger”. In fact Emma Fairweather received a letter of apology from the duke, dated 21 January 2019 and published by the Mirror: “I would like you to know that I am very sorry for my role in the collision. I have crossed that intersection several times and I know very well how much traffic there is on the main road.”
Filippo reiterated his opinion version of facts: “The sun was low on the main road. Under normal conditions I would have had no difficulty seeing the traffic coming from Dersingham, but I can only imagine I didn’t see the car coming and I’m mortified at the consequences.”. Then he added: “I am quite shaken by the accident, but I am very relieved that none of you were seriously injured. I understand that you broke your arm. I am deeply sorry for this injury.”
Fairweather, who received the missive on January 23, 2019, he commented to the Mirror: “(The prince) asked me how I was and said he was sorry for my suffering. I was very happy. I thought it was very nice that he had only signed ‘Philip’, without the formal title. I was pleasantly surprised by the personal nature (of the letter)”. Finally he commented: “Many people said it was unrealistic that I wanted that kindness from Prince Philip, (but) that’s what I saw in this letter.”
Emma also pointed out that she had received wishes for a speedy recovery from Queen Elizabeththrough a voice message sent by lady-in-waiting Mary Morrison. Fairweather, although satisfied with the apology, continued to maintain that the sky was overcast on the day of the accident.
On 9 February 2019 the news arrived, reported by the BBC, of the renunciation of Prince Philip to the licence. Buckingham Palace announced in an official statement, quoted by the Daily Mail: “After careful consideration the Duke of Edinburgh has voluntarily decided to give up his licence”. Her Majesty’s husband continued to drive on the private roads of the Crown estates.
On the following 1st April, the 93-year-old Elizabeth II also gave up driving, one of the things she loved to do most (remember that the sovereign of England does not have a driving licence, since the relevant documents are issued in her name: it would be strange if the King gave himself permission to go to
steering wheel). The Sunday Times wrote: “The Queen has agreed to give up driving on public roads, on the advice of her security, following Prince Philip’s accident earlier this year.”