The Duke of Edinburgh has told a mother-of-two who was injured in a car crash he was involved in that he is "deeply sorry".

Prince Philip, 97, escaped injury on January 17 when the Land Rover Freelander he was driving collided with another vehicle when he pulled out of a driveway on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk on to a busy A road.

Philip's car flipped over in the crash, which occurred when he was apparently dazzled by the low sun, and he was initially trapped and had to be rescued by a passing motorist.

The other vehicle involved, a Kia, was carrying a nine-month-old baby boy, his mother who was driving, and Emma Fairweather as a passenger.

The baby was unhurt, but both women had to be treated in hospital.

Ms Fairweather, who broke her wrist, called for the duke to be prosecuted if found to be at fault.

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

This is the first time Fairweather spoke about the accident on TV after giving her story to other media outlets over the weekend

The note, reported by the Sunday Mirror, said: "I would like you to know how very sorry I am for my part in the accident at the Babingley cross-roads.






"I wish you a speedy recovery from a very distressing experience."

The letter is signed "Yours sincerely Philip".

Ms Fairweather, 46, told the Sunday Mirror she was "chuffed" with the letter, adding: "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.

"A lot of people said it was unrealistic that I wanted that human kindness from Prince Philip - which is what I saw this letter as."

Ms Fairweather had previously complained that while the Queen, who had no involvement in the accident, had been in contact through a lady-in-waiting, she had not had any direct communication with the duke.

It is understood a similar letter was sent to the driver of the Kia.

Philip was photographed driving without a seatbelt 48 hours after the crash.