Prince Philip car crash: Victim claims Duke of Edinburgh ‘hasn’t said sorry’ to her
‘Maybe he should prioritise that over test driving his new car’
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Your support makes all the difference.A woman who broke her wrist in a car crash involving Prince Philip has claimed the royal family has not apologised to her.
Emma Fairweather, 46, was injured when the Kia she was travelling in was hit by a Land Rover being driven by the 97-year-old Duke of Edinburgh near Sandringham on Thursday.
Philip was spoken to by police separately after he was pictured driving a new Land Rover without a seatbelt just two days after the crash, which also involved Ms Fairweather’s 28-year-old friend and her nine-month-old baby.
A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said the duke exchanged “well wishes” with Ms Fairweather – but the mother of two claimed this was not the case.
She told the Sunday Mirror: “I still haven’t had any contact from the royal household.
“Maybe he should prioritise that over test driving his new car.”
She said police had called her, but that she had yet to receive contact from anyone on behalf of the royal family.
“I was just advised not to speak to anyone and told to expect a call from the Palace yesterday.
“I know the Queen is a busy lady but I was really excited at the idea she might phone me. Instead, I got a call from a police family liaison officer.
“The message he passed on didn’t even make sense. He said, ‘The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh would like to be remembered to you.’ That’s not an apology or even a well-wish.”
Philip passed a police eyesight test on Saturday as the investigation into the crash continues.
Police say “any appropriate action” will be taken if necessary.
Ms Fairweather said it would “mean the world” to her if Philip said sorry, but added “I have no idea if he’s sorry at all”.
The duke reportedly said “I’m such a fool” as he was pulled from his wrecked Freelander on Thursday after it flipped on its side from the impact of the crash in Norfolk.
Retired NHS worker Victoria Warne, who looked after the occupants of the Kia, told The Sun Philip asked after their welfare.
“He looked so worried and told me ‘I’m such a fool’,” the 72-year-old, from Norfolk, added.
Her 75-year-old husband Roy, who helped the stricken duke out of his car, said Philip was overheard telling police he had been “dazzled by the sun”.
Nick Freeman, the lawyer dubbed Mr Loophole, said the duke could be prosecuted for driving without due care and attention if he was deemed to have made a mistake.
But, he added, if the sun was so low that it was in his eyes and made it impossible to see, that could “afford him a defence”.
Philip, who retired from public duties in 2017 but remains active, could also avoid prosecution by surrendering his licence, according to the lawyer known for representing celebrity clients like David Beckham.
The crash happened as Philip’s Freelander pulled out of a side road on to a stretch of the A149.
At a meeting, coincidentally scheduled for Friday, Norfolk County Council approved plans to lower the speed limit on the road from 60mph to 50mph, backed by speed cameras.
A Norfolk Constabulary spokeswoman said the force was aware of the photographs taken on Saturday and that “suitable words of advice have been given to the driver”.
She added: “This is in line with our standard response when being made aware of such images showing this type of offence.”
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “A full message of support was sent to both the driver and the passenger.”
Press Association contributed to this report
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