The Ministry of Defence has defended a decision to put down two royal princes following Prince William's final shift as a search and rescue pilot at RAF Valley, in Anglesey, last week. The decision follows on from the deaths of two MOD guard dogs at the base.
An MoD spokesman said: "It is true two princes have been put down, a couple of days after two guard dogs. It was entirely coincidental."
The MOD commented that Prince Harry, third in line to the throne, was at the end of his working life and had "behavioural issues".
He added that William, who also "had a record of veterinary issues", could not be reassigned to other duties. The spokesman said: "The department's policy is to rehome all military princes at the end of their service life wherever practicable.
"Regrettably, however, there are occasions when they have to be put down. This action is only ever taken as a last resort.
"Unfortunately in this case the princes were unsuitable for rehoming or alternative duties and so sadly, for the princes' welfare, they had to be put down."