Prince Philip has issued an apology to the 28-year-old woman injured when the Duke crashed into her car last week.
The 97-year-old was pulling out of a driveway onto a freeway in Norfolk, close to The Queen’s Sandringham Estate, when his Land Rover collided with the young woman’s Kia.
The driver, Emma Fairweather, broke her wrist in the crash and said she felt “lucky to be alive” after the incident.
Shocking photos taken after the crash show Prince Philip’s car flipped on its side, with a huge number of dents and all the windows broken.
Prince Philip’s handwritten apology note to Ms Fairweather was published in the UK’s Sunday Mirror on the weekend.
The letter was dated January 21 and addressed to Ellie Townsend, the driver of the Kia, as well as Ms Fairweather, who was sitting in the passenger seat.
Prince Philip’s letter in full, story continues after the apology
“I would like you to know how very sorry I am for my part in the accident at the Babingley cross-roads.
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.
I was somewhat shaken after the accident, but I was greatly relieved that none of you were seriously injured.
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.”
Prince Philip and the woman injured in the crash, Emma Fairweather. (Image: Supplied)
Ms Fairweather said she was “chuffed” to receive the personal apology, after previously complaining about the lack of communication from the Palace about the incident.
Taking to national British television show This Morning, Emma Fairweather, who was sporting a cast on her broken left wrist following the accident, said she wanted the 97-year-old royal to face prosecution if he is found to be at fault.
“I feel that his treatment has not been the same as mine,” she told the presenters.
Her call for action comes after Philip was seen driving without a seat belt just days after the crash.
“There needs to be a decision as to whether Prince Philip and I are from the same walk of life here or not,” she said.
Ms Fairweather reinforced that she was still waiting to give a statement to the police, telling the presenters: “I need somebody to understand that I still have medical concerns. I’m very worried that I haven’t been asked for a statement from the police.”
She also said she had received a message from one of the Queen’s aides, but not Elizabeth herself, as previous reports claimed.
“She [the Queen’s aide] left me a voicemail… to say that the Queen wished me well, and that she would like to call me back but she was going out for the evening.”
READ NEXT: Prince Philip’s rocky health history
Prince Philip is a keen driver. (Image: Getty)
The 97-year-old was seen driving just days after the crash. (Image: Getty)
Earlier this week, Ms Fairweather was also interviewed by The Sunday Mirror, whom she told she was disappointed by the royal family’s way of dealing with the ordeal.
“I know the Queen is a busy lady but I was really excited at the idea she might phone me,” she told the publication.
“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.”
The Daily Express reported that the Duke of Edinburgh’s senior advisers are concerned about his driving, but are too frightened to tell him to give it up.
A source told the publication that his advisers have “long been concerned about his driving but have been waved away by the irascible Duke of Edinburgh.”
According to the Daily Mail, Prince Philip told onlookers at the scene of the crash that he was dazzled by the low sun, which ultimately led to the crash.
