French princess in a coma after devastating road accident

A French princess has been placed in an induced coma following a road accident on Monday.

Princess Hermine of Clermont-Tonnerre, 54, was seriously injured in the crash. French news outlet La VDN reports that details of the accident are unclear but it is understood a motorcycle was involved.

Gala magazine reports the royal was placed in the coma "after a serious motorcycle accident" and that her condition is "worrying".

Friends of the royal have been posting messages on Facebook.

Event manager Viviane Zaniroli wrote: "Let us all pray for our princess. In thoughts and prayers for our Mimine, Hermine from Clermont-Tonnerre, in a coma following a motorcycle accident, we think strongly of Allegra and Calixte her children.

"My darling princess, you are a warrior, fight."

Singer Jean-Luc Lahaye, a relative of Hermine, spoke about the accident on TV, writing: "I learned the news. It seems it was a very serious motorcycle accident. A vital prognosis is underway. I hope she will get by. She is a girl that I adore, a faithful friend, very joyful, an extraordinary character.

"She is a mum and for this reason also I hope that she will get out of it and that she will regain all her mobility. [I] don't know what she has yet, but it's very serious since her vital prognosis is underway."

The princess is the daughter of Charles Henri, who is the 11th Duke of Clermont-Tonnerre, and Anne Moranville.

Princess Hermine is an author, having published seven books and regularly appearing on TV on shows such as Ina Talk Shows and Déregimez-moi.

She has two children - Allegra and Calixte - who she shares custody with her ex-husband, businessman Alastair Cuddefort.