Police officer charged after death of woman, 81, in collision with royal escort

A police officer has been charged over the death of an 81-year-old woman who was killed in a collision with a motorcycle that was part of an escort for the Duchess of Edinburgh.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said on Friday it had charged Christopher Harrison, 67, with causing death by careless driving following a review of the evidence provided by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Helen Holland was involved in a collision with a Metropolitan police motorcyclist at the junction of West Cromwell Road and Warwick Road in Earl’s Court, west London, on the afternoon of 10 May 2023. She sustained serious injuries and died two weeks later in hospital.

Rosemary Ainslie, the 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.”

Harrison would appear at Westminster magistrates court in London on 6 November, the CPS said.

Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, said at the time her “heartfelt thoughts and prayers” were with Holland and her family. After her death, 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.”

Holland’s son Martin told the BBC at the time of the crash she had died after sustaining “multiple broken bones and massive internal injuries”. He said she fought “for her life for nearly two weeks … but irreversible damage to her brain finally ended the battle”.