Car crash drama that led to Prince Philip ultimately surrendering his driving license – as his driving is branded ‘slightly crazy’

His driving behavior is labeled as ‘somewhat crazy’.

But at least Prince Philip knew when it was time to end it.

His decision to quit driving for good in 2019 followed a horrifying near-miss involving a nine-month-old baby.

Sensibly, he wrote a letter personally apologizing for his part in the collision, and the Palace later said he voluntarily gave up his driver’s license.

Now the extraordinary events are back in the spotlight after veteran presenter Sir Trevor McDonald criticized the late Duke of Edinburgh’s driving style on Sunday.

Speaking at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, the 85-year-old told the audience how Prince Philip had driven his car into a mud puddle and was unable to get out.

The former News at Ten ITN presenter added: ‘I’m not allowed to say this publicly but I thought his driving was a bit insane.’

But McDonald also recalled how he had had a “wonderful” day with the prince, who had been “extremely generous” with his time.

Eleven years later, on February 9, 2019, Philip surrendered his driver’s license just weeks after being involved in a car accident at the age of 97.

A statement from Buckingham Palace at the time said: ‘After careful consideration, the Duke of Edinburgh has made the decision to voluntarily surrender his driving licence.’

Prince Philip with Trevor McDonald at the Sandringham Estate in 2008 during the filming of a documentary, The Duke: A Portrait of Prince Philip

Emergency services responded to the scene after the late Duke of Edinburgh was involved in a car crash on January 17, 2019

On January 17, 2019, the late queen’s husband had driven off an intersection and was hit by a Kia before his car ended up on its side.

The Kia was carrying a nine-month-old baby, his 28-year-old mother, and another woman, 45, who suffered a broken arm and injured knee. The child was unharmed.

Roy Warne witnessed the incident and stopped to help. He helped Philip out of his Land Rover and said the prince “asked how everyone was doing and if anyone was injured.”

Mr Warne added that the prince told his wife he was blinded by the sun before driving onto the road.

Buckingham Palace said at the time: ‘The Duke of Edinburgh was involved in a road traffic accident with another vehicle this afternoon.

The Duke talks to Mr McDonald in 2008 as a cameraman follows them around the grounds

Philip drives his Land Rover on the Sandringham Estate just two days after his crash

Philip pictured behind the wheel at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2010

‘The Duke was not injured. The accident took place close to the Sandringham estate. The local police arrived on the scene.’

The 97-year-old was unharmed and later wrote a letter apologizing for his part in the collision to Emma Fairweather, who was a passenger in the Kia and suffered a broken wrist.

In the letter, the Duke of Edinburgh said he had crossed the road “a number of times” and that under normal circumstances he would have no difficulty seeing traffic approaching.

He talked about how sorry he was and how blinded he was by the ‘lowing sun’.

Ms Fairweather told the Sunday Mirror she was ‘delighted’ by the letter, adding: ‘I really liked that he signed off as ‘Philip’ and not the formal title. I was pleasantly surprised because of the personal character.

The Duke pictured himself watching the Carriage Driving competition at the Royal Windsor Horse Show from his car in 2015

The scene after Philip’s driving incident in January 2019, where his car overturned on the side of the road

“Many people said it was unrealistic for me to want that kind of human kindness from Prince Philip – and that’s what I saw in this letter.”

It is believed a similar letter was sent to the driver of the Kia.

The Crown Prosecution Service previously said it was not in the ‘public interest to prosecute after the collision’.

When Philip voluntarily surrendered his driving license weeks later, Ms Fairweather said the Duke’s decision was ‘sensible and the right thing to do’, adding that it was ‘a shame he didn’t make the decision sooner’.

Norfolk Police said at the time: ‘We can confirm that the 97-year-old driver of the Land Rover involved in the collision at Sandringham on Thursday 17 January 2019 today voluntarily surrendered his driving license to officers.

Philip drives his Land Rover on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, two days after his crash in 2019

Debris on the side of the road where Philip was involved in the car accident

‘We will follow standard procedure and return the license to the DVLA.’

Queen Elizabeth reportedly stopped driving on public roads two months after Philip’s accident.

At the time, it was claimed that the monarch would instead be driven on public roads, but could choose to drive on private roads, The Sunday Times reported.

Philip was spotted behind the wheel again in April 2019 after the incident, but on private roads.

He was seen wandering the grounds of Windsor Castle on April 18 as the Queen attended the White service at nearby St George’s Chapel.