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Prince Philip 'very shocked and shaken' after crash

Prince Philip has been left ‘very shocked and shaken’ after his Land Rover flipped and collided with another car near the Sandringham Estate.

The 97-year-old Duke of Edinburgh was thankfully unharmed in the incident, however, two people in the other car were treated for minor injuries.

Philip’s 92-year-old wife, Queen Elizabeth, is said to be by his side as he recovers from the shock of the day.

The Duke of Edinburgh is known for driving around Sandringham Estate. Image: Getty
The Duke of Edinburgh is known for driving around Sandringham Estate. Image: Getty

“The Duke of Edinburgh was involved in a road traffic accident with another vehicle this afternoon,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement.

“The duke was not injured. The accident took place close to the Sandringham Estate. Local police attended the scene.”

Philip was driving his car at about 3pm, when he pulled out of a driveway onto the A149 in Babingley, Norfolk, just beside Sandringham.

Onlookers told the BBC that they helped the duke out of his Land Rover and he was “conscious but very, very shocked and shaken”.

The duke was taken back to the Sandringham Estate, where he was given the all-clear by a royal doctor.

But the question remaining for many, is why is 97-year-old Philip driving on a public road?

The UK’s DVLA requires drivers to renew their licence every three years after they reach the age of 70, however there is no maximum age at which anyone can hold a licence.

According to Buckingham Palace, the Duke holds a valid driver’s licence, unlike the Queen, who – thanks to her powers as the Sovereign – is the only person in Britain who does not need a driver’s licence to get behind the wheel.

The royal’s crash comes after last year saw him undergo hip replacement surgery in April, before falling in the bath and cracking a rib just six weeks later.

Prince Philip attended the wedding of his grandson Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, despite his injuries, as he was determined to appear without any form of walking aid.

The 97-year-old’s Range Rover was flipped on its side after the two car crash. Image: Sunrise
The 97-year-old’s Range Rover was flipped on its side after the two car crash. Image: Sunrise

And just weeks after his hip surgery, Philip was already walking without the use of crutches, after spending nine days on bed rest following his operation on April 4.

“The duke is already walking unaided. He has amazing willpower. When he sets his mind to something he gets on and does it,” a source said at the time.

“He has been walking up and down stairs several times in succession.

“He has also been charging across rooms at full speed. He even had to be told to slow down.”

Prince Philip retired from public duties in summer 2017, aged 96, after having completed 22,219 solo engagements since 1952.

With extra reporting by Bang Showbiz

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