Police officer charged over royal escort crash that left woman, 81, dead

A police officer has been charged with causing death by careless driving following the death of an 81-year-old woman who was hit by a motorcycle escorting the Duchess of Edinburgh through London.

Helen Holland, 81, suffered serious injuries when she was struck by a vehicle at the junction of West Cromwell Road and Warwick Road in Earl’s Court on the afternoon of May 10 last year. She died two weeks later.

On Friday, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it had authorised a charge of causing death by careless driving against Met Police officer Christopher Harrison, 67, following a review of the evidence by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

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Rosemary Ainslie, head of the CPS Special Crime Division, said: “The charge follows the death of Helen Holland, 81, after she was involved in a collision with a police motorcyclist at the junction of West Cromwell Road and Warwick Road in Earl’s Court, west London, on 10 May 2023.

“The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that they have the right to a fair trial.

“It is extremely important there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”

After her death was announced, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “The Duchess of Edinburgh is deeply saddened to hear that Helen Holland has passed away. Her Royal Highness’s deepest condolences and sympathies go to all of Ms Holland’s family.”

Harrison will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on November 6.