In a case that has gripped London and drawn national attention, a Metropolitan Police motorcyclist who fatally struck an 81-year-old woman while escorting the Duchess of Edinburgh has been acquitted of causing death by careless driving. The verdict, delivered at the Old Bailey on November 13, 2025, brings to a close a trial marked by emotion, public scrutiny, and questions about the responsibilities of police officers tasked with protecting the Royal Family.
The incident occurred on May 10, 2023, on West Cromwell Road in Earl’s Court, west London. PC Christopher Harrison, 68, was part of a specialist escort group assigned to safeguard Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, as she departed the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office in King Charles Street just after 3pm. The convoy, which included the Duchess’s car and a police backup vehicle, was moving through a busy section of the city when tragedy struck.
Helen Holland, described by her family as a great-grandmother, gardener, and weekly country walker, was 2.9 metres onto a pedestrian crossing when she was hit by Harrison’s BMW police motorbike. Witnesses recalled the shocking moment. Diana Cetara, a passer-by who saw the collision while walking her dogs, testified, “She was crossing, a motorbike hit her and then she flew away – to be honest, I was a bit of a mess then.” Holland suffered a skull fracture, multiple bruises, and fractures to her lower legs. She died in hospital two weeks later, with a post-mortem examination listing complications from a severe head injury as the cause of death.
The trial at the Old Bailey focused intensely on Harrison’s conduct in the moments leading up to the collision. Evidence showed he was traveling between 44mph and 58mph as he approached the crossing, well above the 30mph speed limit for that stretch of road. Prosecutor Michelle Heeley KC emphasized that, while police escort riders are permitted to exceed speed limits and even pass through red lights in the line of duty, they still have a responsibility to drive with care for all road users. “Mrs Holland was entitled to be crossing then,” Heeley told the court. “Mr Harrison knew that the light for traffic, for him, was red, and so he should have taken care when driving through the red light. But he did not stop and he did not see Mrs Holland, which is why he drove straight into her. He should have seen her, he should have expected there to be pedestrians and thus modified his driving somehow, but he didn’t, and that is why the prosecution say he was driving carelessly at that point.”
Expert witness Johnathan Moody, deputy chief training instructor for Lancashire Police, was critical of Harrison’s actions, stating, “The final sole motorcycle working bike, I would have expected him to have controlled that crossing by stopping at the red light.” Moody added, “Not what I would expect a competent rider to do.”
During his testimony, Harrison, who has 21 years of experience in the specialist escort group and described himself as “very familiar” with the route, became visibly emotional. He admitted to jurors that he forgot to switch on his body-worn camera and did not use his whistle as he approached the crossing, but insisted he was not complacent. “She was just there in front of me,” he told the court. “She just appeared, between the kerb line and the point of collision. At no point did I see her on the island, I’m sorry.” He described the crash as a “tragic accident” that happened in circumstances he had “no control over.”
The jury deliberated for two hours and 25 minutes before reaching a verdict of not guilty. The courtroom atmosphere was tense as the verdict was announced. A voice from the public gallery cried out, “You ruined our family with no consequences.” Mr Justice Martin Chamberlain then told Harrison he was free to leave. The family’s heartbreak was palpable, with Holland’s granddaughter, Helena, describing her as “the most caring, kind lady, who was loved by many. The whole family are devastated to lose her as she was taken too soon from us.” Following her death, the family also said, “Something like an Angel. She will never be forgotten.”
The Duchess of Edinburgh, who remained dignified and quietly supportive throughout the proceedings, expressed her condolences through Buckingham Palace, stating she was “deeply saddened” by Holland’s death and sent her “deepest condolences and sympathies” to the family.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the Metropolitan Police have implemented changes to improve public safety during royal escorts. Commander Adam Slonecki of Specialist Operations at the Met said, “Our thoughts and sympathies remain with Mrs Holland’s family, and we are deeply sorry for their loss in these circumstances. While nothing we can say or do can make up for this loss, we have worked to safeguard against future tragedies regardless of today’s outcome. Escort riders now have bullhorns fitted to their motorcycles to ensure public safety. They use these in addition to their whistles to warn people they are approaching.” Slonecki also acknowledged the drawn-out nature of the proceedings, saying, “While it is crucial police actions are scrutinised, PC Harrison has waited two-and-a-half years for today’s outcome, while Mrs Holland’s family have had to grieve through a protracted period of uncertainty. We have been lobbying for quicker and fairer accountability processes to lessen the impact on all involved. We will now consider any misconduct matters for PC Harrison as soon as possible.”
The case has also reignited debate about the extraordinary pressures faced by police officers tasked with royal protection. While the law grants them certain privileges—such as exceeding speed limits or running red lights—the expectation remains that these powers are exercised with utmost caution. The prosecution argued that Harrison failed in this duty, while the defense maintained that the circumstances were unforeseeable and tragic.
Throughout the trial, the human cost of the incident was never far from view. The loss of Helen Holland, remembered as youthful in spirit and devoted to her family, resonated deeply with the public. The emotional outburst in court underscored the pain felt by her loved ones, and the broader community’s unease about the risks inherent in high-speed police escorts through crowded city streets.
As the city reflects on the verdict and the changes now in place, the story of Helen Holland and the events of that day serve as a somber reminder of the delicate balance between public safety and the unique challenges of royal protection. The legal process has run its course, but for those involved, the impact will linger far longer than any courtroom drama.
