Strictly Come Dancing star Claudia Winkleman has been hit by some terrifying news recently, following the revelation that her half-sister Sophie Winkelman has been seriously injuried in a car crash in Essex, while she was being driven home from a film set.
The 37-year-old actress is actually married to Lord Frederick Windsor, whose father is a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. The pair married in 2009 following permission from the Queen, and have since had two children, Maud and Isabella.
Reportedly, Sophie was caught up in the accident some ten days ago in Saffron Walden, Essex, and suffered a broken back and broken foot. According to sources speaking to Mail Online, another driver swerved to avoid hitting a deer, and crashed into Sophie's car.
(Sophie and her husband Lord Frederick Windsor)
It's thought that at the time of the crash, Sophie was travelling back from filming her brand new TV show Trust, which also stars Hillary Swank and Donald Sutherland.
(Claudia and Sophie share a father in Barry Winkleman)
Allegedly, the mum-of-two was quickly transferred to London's Chelsea and Westminster Hospital after sustaining considerable injuries. But thankfully, it's thought that the actress won't suffer any long-term problems, despite the fact that she faces months of recuperation in order to recover.
A source told the Mail Online, "It was a terrible shock for the whole family. Freddie's looking after their two girls while Sophie recovers. It will be a long road for her, but we're all so thankful that she's been told there won't be any long-term problems."
Claudia and Sophie are both the daughters of a retired publishing executive, Barry Winkleman, although the pair do not have the same mother. Claudia hasn't commented publically on the news.
Sophie, who formally holds the title Lady Frederick Windsor, and husband Freddie also have a close connection to the royal family, as their eldest daughter Maud, is currently sharing a class with Prince George, attending his school Thomas's Battersea.
(Sophie, far right, on the balcony of Buckingham Palace alongside the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Harry, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge)
She's also attended the Trooping the Colour ceremony on the balcony of Buckingham Palace recently, along with the rest of the royal family, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Sophie is also known for her roles in Two and a Half Men, as Ashton Kutcher's character Walden Schmidt's girlfriend, and in Peep Show.
