A Metropolitan Police officer has been charged over the death of a woman who was hit by a motorcycle escorting the Duchess of Edinburgh through London.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it had authorised a charge of causing death by careless driving against 67-year-old Christopher Harrison.
Helen Holland, 81, suffered serious injuries in the collision in Earl’s Court on 10 May. She died in hospital two weeks later.
In a statement released at the time, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, said her “heartfelt thoughts and prayers” were with Ms Holland and her family.
Ms Holland, a mother-of-four, grandmother-of-10, and great grandmother-of-seven, was struck at the junction of West Cromwell Road and Warwick Road.
The CPS said the charge against Harrison was authorised following a review of the evidence by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
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.”
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Harrison is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 6 November.
In a statement released to Sky News following the collision, Ms Holland’s family described her as a “beautiful, loving, kind and caring lady who would always put anyone before herself”.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement at the time: “The Duchess’s heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the injured lady and her family.
“She is grateful for the swift response by the emergency services and will keep abreast of developments.
“Further comment at this time would not be appropriate while the incident is being investigated.”
