UK's Prince Philip gives up driving license

The 97-year-old spouse of Queen Elizabeth was involved in a car crash when he was driving out of the 20,000-acre (8,093-hectare) Sandringham estate in the east of England in January.

"After careful consideration the Duke of Edinburgh has taken the decision to voluntarily surrender his driving licence," a statement from Buckingham Palace announced on Saturday.

An investigation into the crash has been passed to the principal public prosecuting agency for conducting criminal prosecutions in the UK: "The investigation file for the collision has been passed to the Crown Prosecution Service for their consideration," Norfolk police said. The CPS then announced: "We review each file carefully before a decision is made and will take this development into account."

The accident had involved the prince's Land Rover Freelander and a Kia car with two women and a baby on board. The baby was unhurt but the two women were treated in hospital, one of them for a broken wrist.

Two days later, the prince was seen driving another Land Rover near Sandringham Parish Church.

There is no upper age limit for driving in the UK, although drivers are sent a form to renew their license when they reach the age of 70. Then, drivers have to reapply every three years for a permit.

jm/kl (Reuters, AP)

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