A police officer has been charged in connection with the death of an 81-year-old woman who was involved in a collision with a motorcycle during a royal escort for the Duchess of Edinburgh. The incident took place at the junction of West Cromwell Road and Warwick Road in Earl’s Court, west London, on May 10, 2023, resulting in the death of Helen Holland two weeks later.
The Crown Prosecution Service has announced that Christopher Harrison, a Metropolitan Police officer, has been charged with causing death by careless driving following a review of the evidence by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). Rosemary Ainslie, head of the CPS Special Crime Division, emphasised the importance of ensuring no reporting, commentary, or sharing of information online that could prejudice the ongoing legal proceedings.
After the tragic incident, Helen Holland’s son, Martin, revealed that she passed away due to sustaining multiple broken bones and severe internal injuries. In response to her death, a spokesperson from Buckingham Palace expressed the Duchess of Edinburgh’s deep sadness and extended condolences to the family of Ms. Holland.
Christopher Harrison is set to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on November 6 to face the charges brought against him. The proceedings surrounding this case are ongoing, with a reminder from the Crown Prosecution Service that all individuals involved have the right to a fair trial and should avoid any actions that could influence the legal process.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.