Clarence
House has denied that Prince Harry had any involvement in the death of two rare
birds of prey which were allegedly killed during a shoot at Sandringham last week.
The Guardiannewspaper has revealed that police interviewed the third-in-line
to the throne over the deaths of two hen harriers, a breed of bird which is
legally protected.
Two witnesses are said to have seen the birds being blasted out of the sky during
a shoot which took place at the Queen’s Norfolk estate last Wednesday evening.
However, despite the suggestion that he may have been involved in an offence
which carries a prison sentence of up to six months or a fine of £5,000,
Clarence House is adamant that the prince and his friend – reportedly a member
of the van Cutsem family – were not responsible, explaining: "Because
Prince Harry and a friend were both in the area at the time, the police have
been in contact with them, and asked them if they have any information that could
help."
The statement concludes: "Unfortunately, they've no knowledge of the alleged incident."
Despite the denials of the prince and his friend, the broadsheet newspaper reports: 'Sources have told the
Guardian that the prince and his friend were the only people known to be out
shooting on the estate last Wednesday evening and were quickly identified to
Norfolk police by the Prince of Wales’s staff.'
This isn’t the first time the Royal Family have been at the centre of
controversy over their very public support for the killing of animals on regular hunting and shooting expeditions on the royal estates.
