Investigation launched after Prince William and Kate Middleton's police guard accidentally fires gun

(Rex Features)

An investigation has been launched after a police officer thought to be guarding Prince William and Kate Middleton accidentally fired his gun.

The officer was sitting in an unmarked car with a colleague when the shot rang out last week. No-one was hurt but the officer was removed from firearms duty pending the Scotland Yard inquiry.

The incident happened on Anglesey, where Prince William - who captains RAF Sea King helicopters - is stationed. The Metropolitan Police would not confirm that the Duchess of Cambridge was at home alone with her husband away on duty when the incident happened.

A Met spokesman said: "Shortly before 1pm on Wednesday October 24 an on-duty MPS police officer unintentionally discharged a firearm while in an unmarked police vehicle.

"The round damaged the floor of the vehicle. Another on-duty officer was in the vehicle at the time of the incident. Neither officer was injured. The officers were on duty in north Wales at the time." Both the officers are attached to specialist operations, the Met said.

The spokesman said the Met's directorate of professional standards had been informed of the incident and the officer concerned had been removed from firearms duty pending the outcome of inquiries.

A Clarence House spokesman said he could not confirm where the incident had taken place, saying such an incident would have to be handled by the Metropolitan Police.