Duchess of Edinburgh’s escort cleared in fatal crash case

The Duchess of Edinburgh’s protection detail faced a harrowing day in court, but relief followed when justice or at least the jury came down on their side.

Metropolitan Police motorcyclist Christopher Harrison, 68, who was escorting Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, when he struck pensioner Helen Holland in May 2023, was found not guilty of causing death by careless driving at the Old Bailey. 

The 81-year-old died two weeks after the collision on West Cromwell Road, west London.

Harrison had been travelling between 44mph and 58mph in a 30mph zone as he approached the crossing. After two hours and 25 minutes of deliberation, the jury acquitted him. 

The courtroom tension was palpable, with a voice from the public gallery shouting, “You ruined our family with no consequences,” highlighting the heartbreak that lingered despite the verdict.

Throughout the proceedings, the Duchess of Edinburgh remained dignified, quietly supporting the process while her protection officer faced intense scrutiny, a reminder of the pressures that come with safeguarding the royals.

Meanwhile, Sophie showed she’s fearless or at least curious when she came face to face with the “king of spiders” on a jungle trek in the Peruvian Amazon. 

She brought her hand to her chest as she cautiously inspected a Goliath birdeater, the world’s largest tarantula, proving that even royals can get a little jittery in the wild.

On her 10-day tour of South and Central America visiting Peru, Panama, Guatemala, and Belize at the request of the Foreign Office, the Duchess embraced the adventurous side of diplomacy. 

Guided through dense forests by two local experts, Sophie didn’t stop at spiders, she held a green anaconda and cradled a tiny turtle before releasing it back into the wild, combining royal poise with a dash of jungle daring.