Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, speaks after her royal escort hits elderly woman
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh has released a statement after her Royal Police escort hit an elderly woman who is now in a critical condition.
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Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, has offered her “heartfelt thoughts and prayers” to a woman who was critically injured after being hit by a police motorcycle that was part of her royal escort.
The incident took place at the intersection of West Cromwell Road and Warwick Road in Earl’s Court, west London, on Wednesday around 3:20pm local time, according to the Metropolitan Police.
The woman is in her 80s and was treated by paramedics from London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance before being transported to hospital. She remains in critical condition and her family has been informed, the Met Police said on Thursday.
No other injuries were reported, and the collision is being investigated by Independent Office for Police Conduct.
Buckhingham Palace released a short statement on Sophie’s behalf following the incident.
“The Duchess’s heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the injured lady and her family,” the palace said.
“She is grateful for the swift response by the emergency services and will keep abreast of developments.
“Further comment at this time would not be appropriate while the incident is being investigated.”
A similar accident took place in 2019, when a woman, also in her 80s, was hit by a police motorbike in Prince William and Princess Kate’s police escort. Kensington Palace said at the time that the royal couple were “deeply concerned and saddened” and had been in touch with the woman.
The latest incident comes after a week of major royal engagements for Sophie and the rest of the British royal family. The duchess and husband Prince Edward attended King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s coronation last Saturday, and were also present at the many celebrations that took place in the days following the ceremony.
Originally published as Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, speaks after her royal escort hits elderly woman
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