Prince Philip Apologizes to Car Crash Victim Emma Fairweather: ‘I Am Deeply Sorry’

He’s sorry! Earlier this month, Prince Philip was involved in a very scary car crash after colliding with another vehicle near the Sandringham estate — and he’s very lucky to be alive and unharmed after his Land Rover flipped on its side. But the driver in the Kia that was involved in the crash, Emma Fairweather, 46, was not so lucky. She suffered a broken wrist from the accident, and now, the Duke of Edinburgh has written a formal letter, offering an official public apology.

“I would like you to know how very sorry I am for my part in the accident at the Babingley cross-roads,” the 97-year-old wrote in his letter.

He went on to explain that he has driven along that road many times in the past without any accidents, and he offered an explanation as to why he thinks caused the crash. He said it was a bright, sunny day and at around 3 p.m. when he was driving along the road, and he said that the sun was shining low over the road.

Queen Elizabeth II‘s husband then explained that he would have been able to see the oncoming traffic had it been in normal driving conditions and the sun had not been shining so bright and low. ” I can only imagine that I failed to see the car coming, and I am very contrite about the consequences,” he continued in the letter.

Prince Philip then went on to explain that he been shaken after the scary collision, but he was relieved to hear that no one in Fairweather’s car suffered any serious injuries. He also explained that the reason why he did not stay around at the scene of the accident was because a crowd had begun to form and he was advised to return to Sandringham House by a local police officer.

“I have since learned that you suffered a broken arm. I am deeply sorry about this injury,” he wrote. “I wish you a speedy recovery from a very distressing experience.”