Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, has said her “thoughts and prayers” are with a woman in her 80s who is in a critical condition after being hit by a police motorcycle escorting the royal.

In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: “The Duchess’s 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.”

The duchess, who is married to Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, was being escorted by motorcycle outriders when the collision occurred at around 3.21pm on Wednesday at the junction of Cromwell Road and Warwick Road in west London.

The Metropolitan Police said the police motorcycle involved was on escort duties.

Paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance attended the scene, and the woman was taken to hospital.

“She remains there in a critical condition. Her family have been informed. There are no reports of any other injuries,” the Met Police said in a statement on Thursday morning.

It added an investigation has been launched by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.