UK police speak to 97-year-old Prince Philip for not wearing seat belt

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Press Trust of India London
Last Updated : Jan 20 2019 | 8:20 PM IST

British police said they have given "suitable words of advice" to Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth, after the 97-year-old was spotted driving without a seat belt, two days after the Duke miraculously escaped unhurt in a terrifying accident that injured two women in another car.

The Duke of Edinburgh has been pictured back behind the wheel of a new Land Rover on Saturday afternoon on the Sandringham estate, the royal family's Norfolk retreat near to which the Thursday's accident took place, the Telegraph reported.

The Duke was given "suitable words of advice" by Norfolk Police after the pictures were published in newspapers.

On Thursday, Philip escaped a crash when a Tata Motors' Land Rover he was driving flipped onto its side after a collision with another car carrying two women and a nine-month-old baby.

The Duke was unharmed but the two women in the Kia hatchback were injured in the accident. The old baby who was in the back seat of car was uninjured. It was suggested that the royal was dazzled by sunlight at a T-junction and his vehicle hit the Kia.

Though Philip was unhurt, the accident stirred up a debate in the UK about old age and driving and raised questions over the duke still driving himself on public roads.

Philip, who formally retired from public life in 2017, has been seen behind the wheels on numerous occasions over the decade.

Meanwhile, Emma Fairweather, who broke her wrist in the crash, has told the Mirror newspaper that the duke has not apologised.

A Palace spokesman has said contact was made with the occupants of the car to exchange "well-wishes".

Fairweather, who was a passenger in the car being driven by her friend, said: "I'm lucky to be alive and he hasn't even said sorry."
"That's not an apology or even a well-wish."

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First Published: Jan 20 2019 | 8:20 PM IST

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