SUPPORT OUR JOURNALISM: Please consider donating to keep our website running and free for all - thank you!

FeaturesOpinionQueen Elizabeth II

Charlie Proctor: It might sound trivial not wearing a seatbelt, but The Queen should lead by example

Twenty years ago, Diana, Princess of Wales died in a catastrophic car crash in Paris – a moment that shocked the world. It is widely believed that if Diana were wearing her seatbelt at the time of the incident, she would have most likely survived.

So what seems even more shocking to me is despite the late Princess’s untimely death, The Queen still often still travels in her car without buckling up.

Her Majesty’s lack of wearing a seatbelt has been picked up in the press this week after a resident of West Yorkshire dialled 999 reporting the 91-year-old Monarch for not wearing fastening up when she was travelling to and from the State Opening of Parliament.

Of course, the person who phoned 999 is clearly several fries short of a Happy Meal, but the question still has to be asked – why didn’t she buckle up? It is the most simple of tasks which save countless lives, and as previously mentioned, it is not unprecedented for a member of The Royal Family to be involved in a serious car accident!

Her Majesty should lead by example. If she wears her seatbelt, others will notice this and will likely also wear theirs. Likewise, if she doesn’t wear her seatbelt, the easily impressionable might think if it isn’t good enough for The Queen, it isn’t good enough for me either.

It is illegal not to wear a seatbelt, whether you are the driver or a passenger in either the front seat or back. If you don’t wear a seatbelt, you are liable to pay a £500 fine.

In reality, you will never see a police car pulling up Her Majesty on the side of the road and impose a fine. The Queen is, in essence, the law and she cannot be charged for either civil or criminal proceeding taken against her.

The Royal Family’s website says: “The Queen is careful to ensure that all her activities in her personal capacities are carried out in strict accordance with the law.”

In general, I consider myself to be a supporter of the Monarchy and The Queen as I am sure most people reading this opinion piece are. But I struggle to understand how people can simply look the other way or laugh it off when The Queen breaks the law.

It is not trivial or amusing, it is dangerous and sets a bad example.

13 Comments

Comments are closed.