Family of beloved gran Helen Holland killed in Duchess of Edinburgh escort crash blast police officer's acquittal
In May 2023, a police motorcyclist escorting the Duchess of Edinburgh struck and killed 81-year-old Helen Holland
The grieving family of an 81-year-old great-grandmother who was fatally struck by a police motorcyclist escorting the Duchess of Edinburgh have condemned the acquittal of the officer involved.
Helen Holland died in May 2023 after being hit at a pedestrian crossing in Earl’s Court while the signal was green for pedestrians.
Last week, PC Christopher Harrison, 68, was found not guilty of causing death by dangerous driving.
Family of gran killed by Duchess of Edinburgh escort speaks out after trial
In an emotional interview with ITV News, Helen’s brother Chris Holmes said the verdict effectively shifted blame onto his sister.
“If the policeman is not guilty of careless driving, then she’s guilty of careless walking. I feel there’s a terrible injustice,” he said, as reported by The Mirror.
Her granddaughter, Kelly Williams, was even more direct. “This is just an example of a two-tier justice system. The police are above the law.”
She added that Helen had crossed with the right of way.
“More people will die at the hands of the police because they can just go through a red light, kill a pedestrian when it’s their right of way.”
During the trial at the Old Bailey, the jury heard that PC Harrison, a veteran officer with the Met’s Special Escort Group, was travelling between 44 and 58 mph in a 30 zone.
Although he claimed Helen “just appeared” at the crossing, her family reject that entirely.
“He went through at speed and smashed my nan to pieces,” Kelly fumed.
Trial verdict is a ‘rotten closure’
Helen’s family say the verdict has left them feeling “cheated,” with Chris describing the aftermath as a “rotten closure.”
While they don’t blame the Duchess of Edinburgh personally, they are frustrated by what they see as an unnecessary use of high-speed driving for a non-emergency escort.
“She was on her way back to Windsor for tea,” Chris said. “What was the necessity for speed?”
The family is now calling for reform, including the introduction of a maximum age for high-speed escort drivers.
“He should not have been doing that job,” Kelly said of the 68-year-old officer. Chris, now 80, echoed the concern. “I don’t think you should be driving high-powered motorbikes at that age.”
They also believe VIP convoys should follow normal traffic speeds when not in emergencies, and that pedestrian safety must come first, even when it comes to the royals.
Meanwhile, Commander Adam Slonecki said changes have been made since the incident, including installing bullhorns on escort motorcycles to better alert pedestrians.
However, the force defended its internal standards. They argued that age is not a barrier to service and that PC Harrison met all required assessments. “[He] was fully compliant,” a Met spokesperson said.
The family has confirmed plans to sue the Metropolitan Police. Not for financial compensation, but for recognition that Helen “did nothing wrong.”
Royal Insider has contacted Buckingham Palace for comment.
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