Duke driving again – without seat belt
IMAGES showing the Duke of Edinburgh driving a new Land Rover wearing dark glasses and no seat belt have emerged just 48 hours after his dramatic crash.
On Friday, the Queen’s transport manager, Alex Garty, was seen at Sandringham as a new Freelander was delivered to the royal residence.
The pictures, which were released just two days after the incident, show Prince Phillip apparently driving without a safety belt. Buckingham Palace did not immediately comment on the images.
Police are currently investigating the crash, and it said “any appropriate action” will be taken if necessary.
Nick Freeman, the lawyer dubbed Mr Loophole, said the duke could be prosecuted for driving without due care and attention if he was deemed to have made a mistake.
But he added: “If the sun was so low and right in your eyes, sometimes it’s impossible to see, and that may well have been the case, and that would afford him a defence.”
The duke, who retired from public duties in 2017 but remains active, could also avoid prosecution by surrendering his licence, according to the lawyer known for representing celebrity clients like David Beckham.
Earlier this week the Queen was also spotted apparently driving without a seat belt on, but returned to wearing one yesterday when seen driving back to Sandringham from nearby stables.
Unlike the duke, the 92-year-old monarch cannot be charges for foregoing the safety legislation as the Queen cannot face civil or criminal proceedings taken against her.
The 97-year-old reportedly said “I’m such a fool” after being pulled from his wrecked Freelander on Thursday after it flipped on its side following a collision close to Sandringham.
The two women inside the other car in the crash, a Kia, were hurt in the collision but the nine-month-old baby boy was unharmed, police said.
The 28-year-old driver, who suffered cuts to her knee, and a 45-year-old passenger who broke a wrist, were treated that day and discharged.
A palace spokeswoman said Prince Philip had exchanged “well-wishes” with the women and appeared to have no lasting problems.