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Met Police officer denies royal escort crash charge

Family handout Image of a smiling Helen Holland, a woman with long grey hair tied in a ponytail and wearing a yellow topFamily handout
Helen Holland, 81, was struck at a junction in Earl's Court in May 2023 and died two weeks later

A Met Police officer has denied causing death by careless driving after an 81-year-old woman died following a collision with a motorcycle that was part of a police escort for the Duchess of Edinburgh.

Helen Holland was struck at the junction of West Cromwell Road and Warwick Road in Earl's Court, west London, on 10 May 2023.

She suffered serious injuries and died two weeks later.

Christopher Harrison, 67, appeared at the Old Bailey on Wednesday where he spoke only to confirm his identity and enter a not guilty plea.

He was granted unconditional bail and will face trial on 10 November 2025.

Buckingham Palace previously said Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, was "deeply saddened" by Ms Holland's death and had sent her "deepest condolences" to her family.

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