HAIR TO THE THRONE
From combing rodents to a bum-scratching pig – the 14 hilarious moments Royals have dared to work with animals in public
We shared the moment Harry taunted William with an eight-foot python
THE royal family meets thousands of people each year, from heads of state to charity workers - but occasionally their duties involve some special non-human guests.
This week, the Prince of Wales visited a farm in Birmingham where he brushed a guinea-pig called Snowflake - and he was later seen stroking a chicken.
14
14
14
14
On their travels around the world, the royals often encounter a host of incredible animals, and due to their unpredictability, it doesn’t always go according to plan.
When most people met the late Queen, they were on their best behaviour, but one pig at a farm in Edinburgh seemed unbothered.
The adorable porker was seen scratching its behind against a post, leaving the monarch in fits of giggles.
The farmer could be heard chuckling that the pig “has a bit of an itch.”
During Prince Harry’s gap year, he jetted Down Under and visited Taronga Zoo in Sydney as part of the trip.
One of the more memorable moments must have been when he held an echidna named Spike, who appeared to be rather prickly.
King Charles and Queen Camilla had a priceless reaction to a bald eagle called Zephyr, who met the couple at the Sandringham Flower Show in 2015.
Things were going well, until Zephyr decided to stretch his wings in their face, leading them looking very surprised.
Most read in Royals
Considering they were several feet long, it would have shocked us too.
On a slightly less eventful - but still comical - trip, the late Queen chuckled as they fed bananas to Donna the elephant during a visit to Whipsnade Zoo in 2017.
Meghan Markle meets a therapy dog during visit to animal welfare charity
Another seemingly happy animal encounter took place when Prince Harry and Prince William got up close and personal with a python during their Africa tour in 2010.
Cheeky Harry couldn’t resist taunting his brother with the eight-foot-long snake’s head as it was draped around their neck, leading to some comical snaps.
The late Queen's love of animals
QUEEN Elizabeth II was known for her love of animals and breeds and kept a variety of species including racehorses, ponies and dogs.
Pembroke Welsh Corgis were the Queen's favourite breed and she owned more than 30 during her reign.
They lived in Buckingham Palace in a special Corgi Room which had elevated wicker baskets and enjoy meals whipped up by a chef.
They became just as well known as the royal herself, with some appearing in the 2012 Olympic ceremony with Her Majesty and Daniel Craig.
Corgis were a bit part of the late Queen’s life, and it is said she owned an estimated 30 corgis and dorgis over the years.
But Charles and Princess Anne also had a bond with their mother’s dogs growing up, and a funny snap shows them playing in the sand with one of the precious pooches in 1957.
14
14
14
14
14
14
14
14
14
14