The Duke of Edinburgh has told a mother-of-two who was injured in a car crash he was involved in that he is “deeply sorry”.
Prince Philip, 97, escaped injury on January 17 when the Land Rover Freelander he was driving collided with another vehicle when he pulled out of a driveway on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk on to a busy A road.
The duke’s car flipped over in the crash, which occurred when he was apparently dazzled by the low sun, and he was initially trapped and had to be rescued by a passing motorist.
The other vehicle involved, a Kia, was carrying a nine-month-old baby boy, his mother who was driving, and Emma Fairweather as a passenger.
The baby was unhurt, but both women had to be treated in hospital.
Fairweather, who broke her wrist, called for the duke to be prosecuted if found to be at fault.
In a letter to Fairweather dated January 21, he wished her a “speedy recovery” and said he “failed to see the car coming”.
The note, reported by the Sunday Mirror, said: “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.”
The letter is signed “Yours sincerely Philip”.
Fairweather, 46, told the Sunday Mirror she was “chuffed” with the letter, adding: “I thought it was really nice that he signed off as ‘Philip’ and not the formal title. I was pleasantly surprised because of the personalised nature.
“A lot of people said it was unrealistic that I wanted that human kindness from Prince Philip – which is what I saw this letter as.”
Fairweather had previously complained that while the Queen, who had no involvement in the accident, had been in contact through a lady-in-waiting, she had not had any direct communication with the duke.
It is understood a similar letter was sent to the driver of the Kia.
The duke was photographed driving without a seatbelt 48 hours after the crash.