Handout . / Reuters
秋篠宮妃紀子さまや長男の悠仁さま、宮内庁職員ら計6人が乗ったワゴン車が11月20日朝、相模原市の中央自動車道下り線で渋滞中に追突事故を起こした。けが人はなかった。宮内庁関係者によると、紀子さまと悠仁さまは、悠仁さまの友人らと山梨県へ山登りに行く途中だったという。
なぜ事故が起こったのか。産経ニュースはその背景に「天皇、皇后両陛下や皇太子ご一家とは異なる宮家の皇族方の警備事情がある」として、次のように伝えている。
両陛下や皇太子ご一家が車で出かけられる場合、前方を白バイなどが先導し、後方に警備車両が続く。通過する一般道の信号を全て青信号にし、高速道路も交通規制するため、渋滞に巻き込まれることはない。
一方、皇位継承順位第２位の秋篠宮さま、第３位の悠仁さまがおられる秋篠宮ご一家であっても例外ではなく、宮家の皇族方には後方に警察の車両が１台配置されるだけで、交通規制も敷かれない。
（秋篠宮ご一家のお出かけに交通規制なし 追突事故の背景 - 産経ニュースより 2016/11/20 19:10）
両陛下は以前から「一般の車の通行にできるだけ迷惑がかからないように」として、過剰な警備にならないよう求めていた。皇太子さまや秋篠宮さまも同じ考えだと、日刊スポーツは伝えた。
ただ、悠仁さまは天皇陛下の孫の世代で唯一の男性皇族とのこともあり、宮内庁や関係者の間で「態勢を見直すべきだ」との声が上がっていたという。
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悠仁さま画像集
悠仁さま画像集(01 of35)
お茶の水女子大学附属小学校の運動会で競技される秋篠宮ご夫妻の長男悠仁さま＝２１日、東京都文京区［代表撮影］ \n\n撮影日：2016年05月21日 (credit:時事通信社)
悠仁さま画像集(02 of35)
農と縄文の体験実習館「なじょもん」を見学し、縄文土器の説明を受けられる秋篠宮ご夫妻と悠仁さま＝３日、新潟県津南町\n\n撮影日2016年08月03日 (credit:時事通信社)
悠仁さま画像集(03 of35)
昭和館を訪問し、常設展示を見学される秋篠宮ご夫妻、悠仁さま、佳子さま＝７日、東京都千代田区［代表撮影］\n\n撮影日2015年08月07日 (credit:時事通信社)
悠仁さま画像集(04 of35)
国指定重要無形民俗文化財の「杉沢比山」を鑑賞される秋篠宮ご夫妻と長男悠仁さま＝１８日、山形県遊佐町の熊野神社［代表撮影］\n\n撮影日2015年07月18日 (credit:時事通信社)
悠仁さま画像集(05 of35)
「対馬丸殉難７０年・鎮魂と平和への祈り」に出席される秋篠宮妃紀子さまと長男悠仁さま＝１６日午前１０時１分、東京都新宿区のホテル［代表撮影］\n\n撮影日2014年08月16日 (credit:時事通信社)
悠仁さま画像集(06 of35)
お茶の水女子大学附属小の運動会で、つなひきの応援をされる悠仁さま＝２４日午前、東京都文京区［代表撮影］\n\n撮影日2014年05月24日 (credit:時事通信社)
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シカに触り笑顔の秋篠宮家の長男悠仁さま＝８日午前９時３２分、奈良市の春日大社［代表撮影］撮影日：2012年11月08日 (credit:時事通信)
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笑顔でシカをなでられる悠仁さま＝８日午前、奈良市の奈良公園 撮影日：2012年11月08日 (credit:時事通信)
悠仁さま画像集(09 of35)
滞在先の御料牧場で、放牧された馬をご覧になる秋篠宮ご夫妻と悠仁さま（栃木・高根沢町）［代表撮影］ 撮影日：2009年03月26日 (credit:時事通信)
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恐竜のレプリカを見学される秋篠宮ご夫妻と長女眞子さま、長男悠仁さま＝１０日午後、福井県勝山市の県立恐竜博物館［代表撮影］撮影日：2013年08月10日 (credit:時事通信)
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秋篠宮さま、紀子さま、佳子さまと「せんぐう館」を視察された悠仁さま＝２４日午後、三重県伊勢市の伊勢神宮外宮［代表撮影］ 撮影日：2013年03月24日 (credit:時事通信)
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入学式に向かわれる秋篠宮ご夫妻と悠仁さま＝７日午前、東京都文京区のお茶の水女子大付属小学校［代表撮影］撮影日：2013年04月07日 (credit:時事通信)
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伊勢神宮内宮の神楽殿前を歩く悠仁さま＝２５日午前１１時１７分、三重県伊勢市［代表撮影］ 撮影日：2013年03月25日 (credit:時事通信)
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平和の礎をご視察する秋篠宮ご夫妻と長男悠仁さま＝１０日午後２時３９分、沖縄県糸満市摩文仁の平和祈念公園［代表撮影］ 撮影日：2013年12月10日 (credit:時事通信)
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お茶の水女子大付属幼稚園の卒業式を終え、卒業証書を手にされる悠仁さまと秋篠宮ご夫妻＝１４日午前、東京都文京区［代表撮影］ 撮影日：2013年03月14日 (credit:時事通信)
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Japan\'s Prince Hisahito (R) and his father Prince Akishino take a stroll together on the grounds of the Akasaka Detached Palace in Tokyo in this handout picture taken August 10, 2015, and provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan. Prince Hisahito, the only grandson of Japan\'s Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, celebrates his ninth birthday on September 6, 2015. REUTERS/Imperial Household Agency of Japan/Handout via Reuters ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS IMAGE. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS PICTURE IS DISTRIBUTED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS (credit:Handout . / Reuters)
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Japan\'s Prince Hisahito (L) and his father Prince Akishino talk as they sit on the grounds of the Akasaka Detached Palace in Tokyo in this handout picture taken August 16, 2015, and provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan. Prince Hisahito, the only grandson of Japan\'s Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, celebrates his ninth birthday on September 6, 2015. REUTERS/Imperial Household Agency of Japan/Handout via Reuters ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS IMAGE. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS PICTURE IS DISTRIBUTED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS (credit:Handout . / Reuters)
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Japan\'s Prince Hisahito (L) and his father Prince Akishino take a stroll together on the grounds of the Akasaka Detached Palace in Tokyo in this handout picture taken August 16, 2015, and provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan. Prince Hisahito, the only grandson of Japan\'s Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, celebrates his ninth birthday on September 6, 2015. REUTERS/Imperial Household Agency of Japan/Handout via Reuters ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS IMAGE. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS PICTURE IS DISTRIBUTED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS (credit:Handout . / Reuters)
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Japan\'s Prince Hisahito, the only son of Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, holds a net on the grounds of the Akasaka Detached Palace in Tokyo in this handout picture taken August 16, 2015, and provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan. Prince Hisahito, the only grandson of Japan\'s Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, celebrates his ninth birthday on September 6, 2015. REUTERS/Imperial Household Agency of Japan/Handout via Reuters ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS IMAGE. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS PICTURE IS DISTRIBUTED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS (credit:Handout . / Reuters)
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Japan\'s Prince Akishino (C) and his wife Princess Kiko (R) pose for a photo with their children Princess Kako and Prince Hisahito at the Akasaka imperial estate in Tokyo in this photo taken November 15, 2014 and released by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan. Akishino, the second son of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, celebrates his 49th birthday on November 30. REUTERS/Imperial Household Agency of Japan/Handout via Reuters (JAPAN - Tags: ROYALS ANNIVERSARY ENTERTAINMENT) \n\nATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS IMAGE. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS PICTURE IS DISTRIBUTED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS (credit:Handout . / Reuters)
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Japan\'s Prince Hisahito, the only son of Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, smiles as he picks herbs on the grounds of the Akasaka Detached Palace, Prince Akishino\'s residence, in Tokyo in this handout picture provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan on September 6, 2014. Prince Hisahito, the only grandson of Japan\'s Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, celebrates his eighth birthday September 6, 2014. REUTERS/Imperial Household Agency of Japan/Handout via Reuters (JAPAN - Tags: ROYALS ENTERTAINMENT) ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS IMAGE. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS PICTURE IS DISTRIBUTED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS (credit:Handout . / Reuters)
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Japan\'s Prince Hisahito (C), the only son of Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, picks herbs with his elder sisters, Princess Mako (L) and Princess Kako, on the grounds of the Akasaka Detached Palace, their residence, in Tokyo in this handout picture provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan on September 6, 2014. Prince Hisahito, the only grandson of Japan\'s Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, celebrates his eighth birthday on September 6, 2014. REUTERS/Imperial Household Agency of Japan/Handout via Reuters (JAPAN - Tags: ROYALS ENTERTAINMENT) ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS IMAGE. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS PICTURE IS DISTRIBUTED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS (credit:Handout . / Reuters)
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Japan\'s Prince Hisahito (C) accompanied by his parents Prince Akishino (L) and Princess Kiko, arrive at Ochanomizu University Elementary School for his entrance ceremony in Tokyo April 7, 2013. REUTERS/Koji Sasahara/Pool (JAPAN - Tags: ROYALS) (credit:POOL New / Reuters)
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Japan\'s Prince Hisahito accompanied by his parents Prince Akishino (L) and Princess Kiko, pose for photo at Ochanomizu University Elementary School for his entrance ceremony in Tokyo April 7, 2013. REUTERS/Koji Sasahara/Pool (JAPAN - Tags: ROYALS) (credit:POOL New / Reuters)
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Japan\'s Prince Akishino (2nd L) looks at a book with his son Prince Hisahito (2nd R), while his wife Princess Kiko (L) and second daughter Princess Kako (R) look on, at his residence in Tokyo in this handout photo taken November 11, 2012 and released by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan to Reuters November 30, 2012. Akishino, second son of Emperor Akihito, turned 47 on November 30, 2012. Picture taken November 11, 2012. REUTERS/Imperial Household Agency of Japan/Handout (JAPAN - Tags: ROYALS ENTERTAINMENT) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. IT IS DISTRIBUTED, EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS (credit:Handout . / Reuters)
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Japan\'s Prince Hisahito, wearing a traditional ceremonial attire, is accompanied by his parents, Prince Akishino, Princess Kiko, his sisters Princess Mako, left, and Princess Kako, right, after attending \"Chakko-no-gi\" ceremony to celebrate his growth and the passage from infancy to childhood, at the Akasaka imperial estate in Tokyo Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011. Prince Hisahito, who turned 5-year-old in last September, had his rite of passage as a member of the Japanese royal family. (AP Photo/Issei Kato, Pool) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Japan\'s Prince Hisahito, second right, greets deputy director of Kindergarten attached to Ochanomizu University, Akemi Miyazato, left, while arriving for the entrance ceremony with his parents Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko in Tokyo Friday, April 9, 2010. (AP Photo/Toshifumi Kitamura, Pool) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Japan\'s Prince Hisahito arrives at the Kindergarten attached to Ochanomizu University with his parents Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko to attend the entrance ceremony in Tokyo Friday, April 9, 2010. (AP Photo/Toshifumi Kitamura, Pool) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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**ALTENATIVE CROP**Japan\'s Prince Hisahito, 3, smiles as he holds a rabbit during his visit to Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, with his parents Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko Monday, Oct. 26, 2009. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Prince Hisahito (C), holding a certificate of graduation and accompannied by his father Prince Akishino (L) and mother Princess Kiko, poses for photos after he attended his graduation ceremony at Ochanomizu University affiliated kidergarten in Tokyo on March 14, 2013. AFP PHOTO / POOL (Photo credit should read JUNJI KUROKAWA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JUNJI KUROKAWA via Getty Images)
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Japan\'s Prince Hisahito (C) wearing traditional ceremonial attire is accompanied by his father Prince Akishino (2nd L), mother Princess Kiko (centre R) and sisters Princess Mako (L) Princess Kako (R) after the Chakko-no-Gi and Fukasogi-no-gi ceremonies at the Akasaka imperial estate in Tokyo on November 3, 2011. Prince Hisahito, who turned 5-years-old last September had his rite of passage as a member of the Japanese royal family. AFP PHOTO/ POOL / Issei Kato (Photo credit should read ISSEI KATO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:AFP via Getty Images)
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Japan\'s Prince Hisahito (C) wearing traditional ceremonial attire is accompanied by his father Prince Akishino (L) and mother Princess Kiko (R) after the Chakko-no-Gi and Fukasogi-no-gi ceremonies at the Akasaka imperial estate in Tokyo on November 3, 2011. Prince Hisahito, who turned 5-years-old last September had his rite of passage as a member of the Japanese royal family. AFP PHOTO/ POOL / Issei Kato (Photo credit should read ISSEI KATO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:AFP via Getty Images)
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JAPAN - AUGUST 31: Prince Hisahito, Son Of Prince Akishino And Princess Kiko In Tokyo, Japan On August 31, 2007 - Japanese Prince Hisahito (C), the son of Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, plays with his sisters Princess Mako (L) and Princess Kako (R) at his residence in Tokyo 31 August 2007 - Prince Hisahito, Japanese imperial family\'s first male heir to be born in 41 years, celebrates his first birthday 06 August 2007. (Photo by Kurita KAKU/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images) (credit:Kurita KAKU via Getty Images)
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Japan\'s newborn Prince Hisahito sleeps in the arms of his mother, Princess Kiko, as they leave a Tokyo hospital September 15, 2006. Prince Hisahito is the first boy to be born into Japan\'s imperial family in nearly 41 years. REUTERS/Itsuo Inouye/Pool (JAPAN) (credit:POOL New / Reuters)
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Tokyo, JAPAN: Japan\'s Princess Kiko (R) and Prince Akishino smile as they leave the Tokyo hospital with their newly born son Prince Hisahito, 15 September 2006. The prince -- who was named Hisahito, or \'serene one,\' in a traditional ceremony -- is third in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne after Crown Prince Naruhito and his father Prince Akishino. AFP PHOTO/POOL/ITSUO INOUYE (Photo credit should read ITSUO INOUYE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ITSUO INOUYE via Getty Images)
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