The Royal Family has a lot of protocol they must endure. Protocol surrounds everything from what they can be seen eating and drinking in public, to who drives them around. However, independence is hard to give up. Especially the independence of being able to drive around where you want when you want. Yet, as we age, our ability to react slows. Our vision gets worse. Sometimes, driving becomes dangerous both to the elderly driver and those on the road.
The Guardian reports on an accident involving Prince Philip and a car carrying three other people.
Last Thursday, the Duke of Edinburgh was driving in his Land Rover Freelander when he collided with a woman in a Kia. Also in the car was a nine-month-old baby and a friend of the driver.
That friend, 46-year-old Emma Fairweather, broke her wrist in the crash. She now says that she has yet to receive an apology for causing the accident from the 97-year-old Duke of Edinburgh or the Royal Family.
Fairweather’s friend had minor injuries and the infant was unharmed. Prince Philip was taken to the hospital, but was not found to have any injuries of concern.
She did say that a message was passed along by a police family liaison officer stating that, “The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh would like to be remembered to you.”
Fairweather said that after the accident, bystanders swarmed the royal vehicle, and she felt like she would be ignored. Fairweather said that the talk in the press has downplayed her injuries, for which she requires assistance dressing and bathing.
Prince Philip said that he was temporarily blinded by the sun, but Fairweather reports that it was cloudy at the time of the accident.
The following Saturday, Prince Philip was seen driving a new Land Rover.
Have you been injured in an accident? We can help. Call today.