Prince of Wales ‘always worried’ about duke’s driving in later years

Prince of Wales ‘always worried’ about duke’s driving in later years

The Prince of Wales raised concerns about the Duke of Edinburgh’s driving five years ago when his father was still travelling around the capital in his famous black cab.

Charles told the son of a D-Day veteran about his fears when he met the pair in France in June 2014, during commemorations marking the 70th anniversary of the Second World War offensive.

At the time Philip, who is 97, was approaching his 93rd birthday, celebrated on June 10, and would drive around the capital in relative anonymity in a black taxi.

Braemar Gathering
The Queen accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Philip Thomas, the son of the veteran, told Charles his father, who was at the event in a wheelchair, continued to drive and owned a 1985 Ford Sierra.

The prince replied: “So does my father. I’m always worried”, before gesturing towards Mr Thomas, and asking: “But his eyesight’s all right?”

Princess Eugenie wedding
The Duke of Edinburgh (Gareth Fuller/PA)

The Queen’s consort still drives himself around Sandringham and Windsor Castle and is known to prefer the Land Rover Freelander 2.

Philip has been driving Land Rovers for decades and is probably drawn to their durability, off-road capabilities and his familiarity with them.

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