Photo: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty
Prince Philiphas sent an apology letter to a woman who suffered a broken wrist in his Jan. 17 car crash near the royal family’s Sandringham Estate.
“Dear Mrs. Fairweather,” Philip, 97, began the note, which Emma Fairweather, 46, provided to theSunday Mirror. “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,” the Duke of Edinburgh continued.
Queen Elizabeth‘s husband went on to explain that “the sun was shining low over the main road,” adding, “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.”
Philip also wished Fairweather a “speedy recovery from a very distressing experience.”
“Your sincerely, Philip,” he concluded the note.
Fairweather went on to tell theSunday Mirrorhow much she appreciated Philip’s note.
“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,” she said, adding, “He’s tried to give an explanation so I appreciate that, whether I agree with it or not.”
Fairweather has previously denied that it was sunny on the day of the accident, telling Great Britain’sThis Morningthat she remembered the weather being “miserable and overcast.”
“I don’t remember it being sunny that day. I would never want to put myself in a position where I would say that the Duke is not being honest. But I do not recall that that day was sunny. That’s all I can say. That’s not the day that I had,” she remarked.
News of the apology comes one week after Fairweather told theSunday Mirrorthat she wasdisappointed with the royal familybecause she had yet to receive an apology from Philip.
“I’m lucky to be alive and he hasn’t even said sorry,” Fairweather told the outlet.
“It would mean the world to me ifPrince Philipsaid sorry but I have no idea if he’s sorry at all,” she added.
Philip walked away from the accident uninjured after flipping his Land Rover following a collision with a Kia. On doctor’s advice, hevisited the hospital on the morning after the crashfor a “precautionary check-up.”
“His Royal Highness had no injuries of concern. The Duke has returned to Sandringham,” a palace spokesperson said.
Philip also received an eyesight test, which he passed, according to a police spokesperson.
The Queen’s husband wasseen drivingin the area just two days after the crash, operating areplacement Land Roveron a public road without his seatbelt fastened.
According to friend and biographer Gyles Brandreth, Philip will reluctantlyaccept that he has to give up driving in publicif he is advised to do so.
“He is a pragmatist and a realist and I’m sure he will accept that while possibly muttering under his breath,” Brandreth told PEOPLE.
source: people.com
