LONDON: An eagle-eyed resident in England called police to report Queen Elizabeth II was not wearing a seat belt during a public appearance in the near of the car.
The police contact centre in West Yorkshire said one resident made an emergency call reporting the flagrant traffic violation as the Queen visited to deliver a speech on the State Opening of Parliament.
“999 call received reporting that the Queen isn’t wearing a seat belt,” police said. Police noted the event was not even in Yorkshire, but rather at the Palace of Westminster in London. It is not known what the operator told the caller.
The monarch was at the palace to deliver the Queen’s speech before the resident spotted her without her seatbelt, as she was exiting the ceremony.
“I cannot stress enough that the 999 number is for emergencies only,” said Tom Donohoe of West Yorkshire Police warning the emergency number is not meant to be used as a joke.
It is it is compulsory to wear a seat belt if fitted while traveling in a vehicle under UK law and flouting could result in a fine. However, the Queen is immune from any civil or criminal proceedings.
A statement on the British Monarchy website says: “The Queen is careful to ensure that all her activities in her personal capacity are carried out in strict accordance with the law.”
Chief Superintendent Pippa Mills, head of the Met’s command and control, said: “This is just a sample of inappropriate calls received by our operators this year.
“Callers who do not have an emergency may prevent others who require our immediate assistance from getting through to us. This presents a real risk to our ability to respond to genuine emergency calls.”
