Royals’ Land Rovers have ‘seatbelt alarms DISABLED’ to make it easier to drive
The Queen sparked a row after it was claimed her Land Rover had its seatbelt alarm turned off by request as did Prince Philip’s vehicle — just a week after The Duke's horror road smash
LAND Rovers for royals have their seatbelt alarms turned off to make it easier to drive without one, it was claimed.
The Queen, 92, and Prince Philip, 97, were recently spotted without belts on.
Road safety charities slammed the move as “very disappointing and disrespectful”.
The Queen sparked a row after it was claimed her Land Rover had its seatbelt alarm turned off by request.
Prince Philip’s vehicle also reportedly has the vital safety feature deactivated - to the fury of road safety campaigners.
It comes as both royals were seen without their belts on — and just a week after Philip’s horror road smash.
A source said Jaguar Land Rover was instructed to disable the seatbelt alarm on vehicles supplied to the royals.
They went on: “It’s so that the driver doesn’t have the continuous warning beeps if they don’t wear a seatbelt.”
It is mandatory to belt up under UK law unless a doctor provides a medical exemption.
It's Maj point
THE Queen won a live game of Pointless at her local Women’s Institute yesterday.
The BBC show’s host Alexander Armstrong, pictured, chaired a clash between a team led by Her Majesty and the other by the WI’s vice-president Yvonne Browne.
He revealed the Queen is a Pointless fan, and called her “our most distinguished viewer”. He said she answered some questions herself and showed “deft, silky Pointless skills” as her team won 3-1 at West Newton village hall, Norfolk.
He went on: “I think Her Majesty and the team can be very pleased with themselves tonight and go back covered in glory.”
He also sang for them and said: “I think everyone dreams they’ve had tea with the Queen, and it was the most lovely experience.”
The Queen, 92, was seen arriving at a WI event today in the back seat without one — along with her lady-in-waiting — though the driver wore his.
Philip, 97, also drove a Land Rover without a belt — two days after his 4x4 overturned in a crash which injured two last week at Sandringham, Norfolk.
Road campaigners said he was “disrespecting” the public and had to wear one — even if the alarm is turned off.
British Safety Council chairman Lawrence Waterman blasted: “It’s not as if it’s onerous or difficult — and the law requires it. Obviously these safety devices are a helpful reminder and I’m very disappointed as I do feel the royals should be setting a better example.
“Whether or not the device was working, Prince Philip should be wearing a seatbelt. He’s old enough to know what he should be doing and frankly I feel he’s showing a disrespectful attitude to the rest of us. People in a position of public influence who flout the law send the wrong message."
Joshua Harris, director at road safety charity Brake, said: “Not wearing a seatbelt flies in the face of decades of evidence and puts your life at risk.
“Seatbelt reminders are vital to get people to remember to buckle up and keep themselves safe and within the law - we would never recommend disabling these devices, unless related to a valid exemption.
Duke's '64 hit
FOOTAGE of a Prince Philip car crash has emerged from 1964.
A motorist called Mr Cooper says his car was hit by the duke who was driving The Queen through Holyport, Berkshire.
He said in the ITV News film: “The duke got out first and says, ‘How are you?’ and I said, ‘Well I’ve just grazed my knee, sir’. He said, ‘Oh, that’s good’.”
A Mrs Clarke helped the Queen out of the car and asked her detective if she would “like a cup of tea or something stronger”, but her offer was refused.
“Simply put, seatbelts save lives, are required to be worn by law and you can face a hefty fine if you’re caught not wearing one.”
It is not illegal to disable the seatbelt warning feature and a car can still pass its MOT with it off.
A spokesman for Jaguar Land Rover referred us to Buckingham Palace, who refused to comment.
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