Prince Philip caused quite a bit of bother last week.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Land Rover collided with another vehicle and overturned last week near the Queen’s Sandringham estate.
Two women in the other car were hospitalised following the incident. A baby had also been present in the vehicle.
48 hours later, Prince Philip was spotted driving near the entrance to Sandringham in a replacement Freelander without a seatbelt.
However, now a former royal security officer has said that it’s not uncommon for the royal family to go without a seatbelt. Apparently, it means in the case of an emergency, they can escape more easily than if they were strapped in.
Former royal protection officer Simon Morgan told Hello! Magazine: “There are always anomalies. In the threat and risk matrix it’s a matter of looking at each individual situation to decide what is the best way of achieving what needs to be achieved.
“For example, considering that a quick entry or exit to a vehicle is easier when people aren’t strapped into seat belts.”
He added, “Also, what is significant about this event or situation? Is an individual’s look and appearance important? And also an individual’s choice. Protection is a very unique area of policing and there are a lot grey areas, but you are always judging each situation to weigh up the risks and threats with the outcomes you are trying to achieve.”
