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Queen's second cousin Lady Tatiana Mountbatten banned from driving for speeding

Joe Gamp
·Contributor, Yahoo News UK
Updated

The Queen's second cousin has been banned from driving after she was caught speeding three times in just 10 days.

Lady Tatiana Mountbatten, 29, from Chelsea, admitted breaking the 60mph speed limit on the M4 in her Porsche three times in March this year.

But the aristocrat has said the ban will pose hardship on her equestrian business, Horse Hub, situated an hour's drive outside of London.

Tatiana Mountbatten leaves Lavender Hill Magistrates' Court in Battersea, London, after being banned from driving for speeding three times in 10 days despite claiming it would place "significant hardship" on her and her business.
Tatiana Mountbatten leaves Lavender Hill Magistrates' Court in Battersea, London, after being banned from driving for speeding three times in 10 days (PA)

Lavender Hill Magistrates Court heard Lady Mountbatten was first caught driving at 70mph on March 1 by a speed camera on the M4 near Heston Services.

But five days later, on March 6, she was caught driving her Porsche at 71mph, and again on March 10 at 70mph.

The court heard how Lady Mountbatten already had points on her licence - with the points for the latest offences taking over 12 points, the amount at which a ban is enforced.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 18: Lady Tatiana Mountbatten attends the Aspinal of London AW19 presentation during London Fashion Week February 2019 at the Aspinal Of London on February 18, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Eamonn McCormack/BFC/Getty Images)
The second cousin of Queen Elizabeth II said a ban would impose "serious hardship" on her equestrian business (GETTY)

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But her lawyers argued a driving ban would place her in "significant hardship" because she needed to travel to and from her business.

Mark Haslam, defending, said the impact of a ban would mean she would have to use public transport or “beg and borrow” to get to work.

But he said that the socialite's “greatest concern” was that a ban would cost her staff their jobs.

Tatiana Mountbatten leaves Lavender Hill Magistrates' Court in Battersea, London, after being banned from driving for speeding three times in 10 days despite claiming it would place "significant hardship" on her and her business.
Tatiana Mountbatten leaves Lavender Hill Magistrates' Court in Battersea, London (PA)

He added: “There is going to be significant hardship both to her and to third parties. The defendant is self employed as a professional horse trainer.

“Of course she is the author of her own misfortune and she must bear the consequences. But there is a knock-on effect.”

Tatiana Mountbatten leaves Lavender Hill Magistrates' Court in Battersea, London, after being banned from driving for speeding three times in 10 days despite claiming it would place "significant hardship" on her and her business.
Tatiana Mountbatten leaves Lavender Hill Magistrates' Court in Battersea, London, after being banned from driving for speeding three times in 10 days despite claiming it would place "significant hardship" on her and her business.

Mr Haslam said his client had not “wilfully disregarded” the speed limit but she had not been aware it had been reduced from 70mph to 60mph.

He added: “Of course I accept that it’s the defendant’s responsibility.“

A panel of magistrates said Lady Mountbatten would be disqualified for six months and fined her a total of £450. She was also ordered to pay £85 in costs.