Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, is "deeply saddened" by the death of a woman who was hit by her police motorcycle escort.

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh has paid tribute to a crash victim

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh has paid tribute to a crash victim

Helen Holland had been critically ill in hospital after being "flung 40ft across the road" during the accident in west London on 10 May, and following the news the 81-year-old grandmother-of-10's has now passed away, the 58-year-old royal - who is married to Prince Edward - has paid tribute.

A royal spokesperson said: "The Duchess of Edinburgh is deeply saddened to hear that Helen Holland has passed away.

“Her Royal Highness’s deepest condolences and sympathies go to all of Ms Holland’s family.”

According to the Independent, Sophie is expected to get in touch with Helen's family privately.

Helen's family had earlier told the BBC she fought "for her life for nearly two weeks... but irreversible damage to her brain finally ended the battle today".

And Helen's son Martin said his mother - who lived in Birchanger, Essex, but had been in London visiting her sister - had died after “suffering multiple broken bones and massive internal injuries” while using the “safe route of [a] pedestrian crossing”.

Following the crash, Sophie said her "thoughts and prayers" were with the victim.

Buckingham Palace issued a statement which read: "The duchess’ heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the injured lady and her family.

“She is grateful for the swift response by the emergency services and will keep abreast of developments.

“Further comment at this time would not be appropriate while the incident is being investigated.”

It is understood the duchess was being escorted with a rolling police escort manned by motorcycle outriders when the collision happened.

Onlooker Martin Hennessy previously said he wasn't surprised by the crash.

He told MailOnline: “This was an accident waiting to happen. The screens had been put up for the Coronation, but it meant that you had to step out a bit into the road to see any traffic...

“I was there soon after it happened and it was carnage. The poor lady was flung about 40ft along the road and paramedics were attending to her. She stepped out a bit to peer around the screens and was hit.”

The incident is being investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).