Wills: I'll be at pro-hunting demo disguised as a badger

PRINCE William is planning to go on the Countryside Alliance March...but disguised as a badger.

He is set to put on a fake animal head and secretly join up to 300,000 anti-hunt protesters at their rally in London on September 22.

William, 20, has worked out the audacious plan with a dozen friends. One of their parents said last night: "William has said he will march, but he will make sure it is impossible to recognise him.

"There is a group of them - nine boys and three girls - who plan to meet up near St James's Palace. To disguise themselves, the boys will wear theatrical animal heads. I know William has talked about wearing a badger head. The girls will dress in tweeds and pretend to be hunt officials."

The parent added: "William has arranged to come up from his father's home in Gloucestershire especially for the event as he is not due back at St Andrews University in Scotland until the following week. I have also heard Prince Harry is talking about getting a weekend pass from Eton so he can go too."

The Countryside Alliance's March for Liberty And Livelihood is expected to bring London to a halt as huge numbers of protesters make their way from Whitehall to Parliament Square.

Prince Charles has shown his support by giving staff at his Highgrove home and on his Duchy of Cornwall estate a day's paid leave to attend. But the actual presence of either of the young princes would have serious political implications as the event is seen as being anti-Government. Among those expected to attend is Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith

Charles has already forbidden his companion Camilla Parker Bowles from going. But some reports have suggested she will turn up anyway.

Her father Major Bruce Shand and sister Annabel Elliot are expected to be there and Camilla's car sports a sticker supporting the rally, reading: "Your countryside needs you now. Come and be counted."

The protest was first planned for last year, but was shelved due to the foot-and-mouth outbreak. More than 2,000 coaches and 30 special trains have been booked for the event and pro-hunting groups from Europe, the USA and Australia are expected to attend.

A royal aide said: "William thinks it is very funny and is planning to try and go. But when the Queen finds out about his plans she is certain to tell him that he cannot."

THE names of Charles and William are on a list drawn up by anti- hunting extremists Urban Alliance who have threatened to destroy property owned by hunt supporters.

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