Prince Andrew hits policeman as he drives into Buckingham Palace

Prince Andrew is being investigated by police after he hit an officer in his car at Buckingham Palace.

The uniformed officer suffered an arm injury and made an official complaint about the Duke of York's driving.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman today said: "We can confirm [the incident] is being investigated for health and safety reasons." But he insisted it was "a minor incident".

The policeman is understood to have jumped to move two Japanese tourists out of the path of the prince's Range Rover. They had not seen the 4x4 heading towards the gate on Constitution Hill and he feared they would be hit. Witnesses said the prince failed to stop.

A police source said: "The officer realised the tourists hadn't seen Andrew. He did what he is paid to do and rushed to protect them but was hit himself. Andrew didn't slow down and carried on as though nothing had happened."

The prince, 49, has not been arrested or questioned but CCTV film is being studied.

The accident happened before the prince flew to Central America last week in his role as British trade ambassador. Last July he angered staff at Windsor Castle by racing through the Great Park in his Aston Martin.