Prince Philip will not be prosecuted after car crash, CPS announces

Agency says it would 'not be in the public interest' for duke to face charges given 'the age of the driver and the surrender of the driving licence'

Prince Philip will not be prosecuted after he was involved in a car crash with another vehicle near Sandringham last month, the Crown Prosecution Service has said.

The Duke of Edinburgh gave up his driving licence this week following the collision on the A149 on 17 January, in which the other driver suffered a broken wrist. A 9-month-old baby in the car was unharmed.

Chris Long, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS East of England, said they had reached the decision after taking into account "all of the circumstances in this case, including the level of culpability, the age of the driver and the surrender of the driving licence".

Mr Long said it would "not be in the public interest to prosecute" and "all those involved in the collision have been informed and provided with a full explanation in writing".

A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: "The Duke of Edinburgh respects the decision taken by the Crown Prosecution Service."

Philip apologised for his part in the accident in Norfolk when his Land Rover collided with the Kia, leaving the woman needing hospital treatment.

In a letter dated 21 January, Philip wished Emma Fairweather a "speedy recovery" and said he "failed to see the car coming".

He blamed the low, bright sun for obscuring his vision, adding he was "very contrite about the consequences".

However the crash did not immediately put Philip off driving.

Wearing tinted glasses, he was photographed at the wheel of a replacement Land Rover while not wearing a seatbelt days later.

On Saturday, a statement from Buckingham Palace said: "After careful consideration, the Duke of Edinburgh has taken the decision to voluntarily surrender his driving licence."

A lawyer had previously suggested the duke could avoid any potential prosecution for driving without due care and attention by giving up his licence.

At the time of the collision, celebrity solicitor Nick Freeman said Philip could face prosecution for driving without due care and attention, which carries an unlimited fine.

But the lawyer said the duke could avoid prosecution by surrendering his licence because it would decrease the chances of a case being in the public interest.