Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh was very active during the coronation and after the coronation. She participated in the “Big Lunch” and she was front row for the coronation concert. She also co-hosted a palace garden party on Tuesday. Well, on Wednesday, she was moving through west London with her police escort. That’s when one of her police escort cars hit a woman in her 80s. Something is going unsaid in this story and I have some questions.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh is praying for a woman who was injured by a police motorcycle that was part of her royal escort.
The accident happened on Wednesday around 3:20 p.m. local time, at the intersection of West Cromwell Road and Warwick Road in Earl’s Court, west London, the Metropolitan Police said, per BBC. The woman is in her 80s and was treated by paramedics from London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance before being hospitalized. She remains in critical condition, the Met Police said Thursday, and her family has been informed.
No other injuries were reported, and the collision is being investigated by Independent Office for Police Conduct.
After the news broke, Buckingham Palace released a short statement on Sophie’s behalf.
“The Duchess’s heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the injured lady and her family. She is grateful for the swift response by the emergency services and will keep abreast of developments,” the palace said. “Further comment at this time would not be appropriate while the incident is being investigated.”
Wednesday was the first day off from major group engagements for the Duchess of Edinburgh, 58, and other members of the royal family following King Charles and Queen Camilla’s historic coronation at Westminster Abbey on Saturday. Sophie attended the church service with her husband Prince Edward and their children Lady Louise Windsor, 19, and James, Earl of Wessex, 15, and appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace together after.
First of all, I hope the woman is being cared for properly and I hope she is okay or will be okay soon. Second of all, my biggest question is… did the police escort stop? Like, when the police motorcycle struck this woman, did the motorcade stop and deal with the situation and call the ambulance? No one is saying, and I’m wondering if this could qualify as some kind of hit-and-run. At least Sophie wasn’t behind the wheel – remember when Prince Philip hit a car carrying a mother and a baby?
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Backgrid.
-
- The Duchess of Edinburgh arrives to take her seat in the Royal Box for the Coronation Concert held in the grounds of Windsor Castle, Berkshire, to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.,Image: 774482175, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Stefan Rousseau / Avalon
-
- WINDSOR, ENGLAND – MAY 07: Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh and James, Earl of Wessex during the Coronation Concert on May 07, 2023 in Windsor, England. The Windsor Castle Concert is part of the celebrations of the Coronation of Charles III and his wife, Camilla, as King and Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the other Commonwealth realms that took place at Westminster Abbey yesterday. High-profile performers will entertain members of the royal family and 20,000 guests including 10,000 members of the public.,Image: 774495338, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Leon Neal / Avalon
-
- Britain’s Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh greets people as she arrives to attend a Big Lunch with residents and representatives from the Royal British Legion, the Scouts and the Guides, in Cranleigh village, Britain May 7, 2023.,Image: 774591599, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: PETER NICHOLLS / Avalon
-
- The Duchess of Edinburgh (right) during a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, London, in celebration of the coronation.,Image: 774740726, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Jonathan Brady / Avalon
-
- London, UNITED KINGDOM – The Prince and Princess of Wales and The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh attend a Garden Party in celebration of the coronation at Buckingham Palace. Pictured: Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh BACKGRID USA 9 MAY 2023 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
-
- London, UNITED KINGDOM – The Prince and Princess of Wales and The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh attend a Garden Party in celebration of the coronation at Buckingham Palace. Pictured: Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh BACKGRID USA 9 MAY 2023 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
I wonder if something like this–were there a lawsuit–could fall on the monarchy to pay out, since the person who hit her was employed by them and acting in an official capacity at the time? I’m very sorry for the woman–and I don’t like the palace’s statement at all. Like: sorry you’re feeling hurt. “Thoughts and prayers” is the response of those determined to do nothing to change their ways.
The police service would pay out because it sounds like the motorcycle was driving too fast.
Remember when side-piece had a head-on collision and left the scene of the accident in 1997? Yep, very shady, I hope the woman will be okay.
If only an enterprising journalist had interviewed that woman prior to Camilla’s fancy hat parade. I’d love to hear what that woman remembers of the event and how she felt about C running away from the scene. Did C contact her after the crash or did one of KFC’s lackeys settle the matter?
@thatsnotok, exactly, I can also remember when prince Philip broke a woman’s arm. I do so hope the lady is OK. 80 is not a good age to be involved in this sort of accident poor thing. And WHY is the media so quiet over this. This elderly lady needs more than your bloody prayers Sophie. Get your lazy arse to that hospital and check on her AND HER FAMILY
They are SO GENEROUS with “thoughts and prayers”… and empty hands. How about seeing to the woman’s family? Or sending over food to the family so they don’t have to worry about meals while they’re spending time at the hospital?
Has she made a PERSONAL CALL to the woman’s family, or spoke to her doctors, to see how she’s doing?
Sofiesta’s “thoughts and prayers” are empty words from her PR office. I’m sure she’s forgotten all about it already.
Honestly, the last person I would want to see while I am worrying about an injured relative is the person whose motorcade was responsible.
They should make shure the injured woman gets the best care money can buy and the family enough funds to skip work for a couple of days, but otherwise keep away.
I hope that along with praying, she’s paying.
From what happens in the U.S., thoughts and prayers is code for doing absolutely nothing.
They don’t know or care that thoughts and prayers without action is blasphemy.
It was an accident. Car insurance will cover, or quietly, Chuck writes a check.
How awful for the victim and the driver tho.
Nah, it’s good. We have the NHS. All free at point of service and the service is outstanding. No insurance required…
Are you actually in the UK? Because all the Brits I know complain about the NHS being overloaded and underfunded.
It is overloaded and there is a massive funding issue but you can still get outstanding levels of care. If you have an accident someone calls 999 and an NHS ambulance comes for you. Later on if you have insurance you might go private for follow up care (and elderly people being discharged with adequate care plans is an issue) but at the point of needing urgent care it’s NHS all the way.
Well, she’s in critical condition, so it’s not so good. And if she dies, I don’t suppose the NHS will pay the funeral expenses.
I think she’s already dead, or brain dead. The never complain, never explain “daughter of QEII’s heart” has already issued a statement? I’m so sorry to her family.
According to the Sun royal reporter Sophie duly attended an engagement at St. George’s Chapel after the incident. Make of that what you will.
Interesting. Wonder what the engagement was. Assuming it’s in the CC. Bc no way would she have a Motorcade security without an official engagement.
I really hope the woman is ok. On a side note, Chuck’s reign is full of problems and bad omens.
I too hope that she is going to recover and resume her life from before the accident.
On a side note, WHY did they tie in the Con-A-Nation with this announcement?? Give me a break!! We all know about that travesty but to add it to their story of this woman is in such bad taste…..
There has been a few of these over the years – there was one a few years ago with the Wails. They were running late to an engagement at Windsor Castle and their outrider hit and old lady standing on the pavement.
They might do it a bit differently in the UK, but I saw the process first hand when Harry was in toronto for Invictus games. Basically the police motorcycles are the ones at the head of the convoy and they get the other traffic out of the way, especially if the road isn’t planned to be closed. Then the other vehicles follow the motorcycles but a bit later. What I saw was on a street in toronto where the speed limit was 50 km so they were not travelling fast, but with lights on.
It looks like the motorcycle clearing the way was traveling too fast or in a way for the 80 year old to not move out soon enough.
If there is a lawsuit it will be against the police service.
This is probably a stupid question, but does every royal get a motorcade/streets cleared every time they go anywhere? Like, on any random Wednesday? I know that obviously they do it for big events, but for some reason I’m surprised that Sophie would get such treatment all the time. How wasteful.
Nah, it’s good. We have the NHS. All free at point of service and the service is outstanding. No insurance required…
Any indication if anyone from the motorcade stopped to assist/call for help or did it keep going on to the destination?
Sue them. Paying out money is the only thing that will get to them. Fake prayers and thoughts. Please. We know these people by now.
Sophie married to the 13th in line royal is given police protection, Harry is denied any protection. Slimmed down monarchy is a farce. Such a sign of force given to a minor married in royal and now it seems the streets must be cleared or be there at your own risk. Charles and his chosen few are behaving more like feudal overlords/ladies.