Royal protection officers quite literally got the bird as they scoured the grounds of a Hampshire building prior to the arrival of the Queen's daughter-in-law.
Sophie was due to arrive at the Langrish House Hotel for an official appearance celebrating the tenth anniversary of The Rosemary Foundation, a charitable organisation which provides palliative care for cancer patients.
Unfortunately, the sniffer dogs brought in to sweep the area prior to the arrival of the royal guest of honour became rather too enthusiastic.
A large, white chicken was chased and killed by one of the hounds, a murderous act which did nothing to help soothe the nerves of all those waiting to meet the royal visitor.
However, according to Nigel Talbot-Ponsonby, who runs the hotel: "I don't think she was aware of it. Everyone else took it in good part. It was just a very unlucky chicken."
