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Prince William and Harry tell media to help flood victims during Datchet visit

Royals were spotted on a private mission to help flood victims in the area

Maria Tadeo
Friday 14 February 2014 16:15 GMT
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Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry help with flood defences around Eton End School in Datchet
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry help with flood defences around Eton End School in Datchet

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Prince William suggested the media should "come and help instead of carrying cameras around" while helping unload sandbags in the flood-hit village of Datchet in Berkshire.

When asked "what he'd been up to", the Duke of Cambridge replied: "Well you could come and help instead of carrying cameras around".

Prince Harry told reporters he did not enjoy having "you guys around" and insisted they "could be helping".

Dressed in waterproofs and wellington boots, they moved heavy sandbags to help residents protect their properties amid heavy rain and wind.

A Kensington Palace spokesperson said they "wanted to show their support for the flood victims" and help in a private capacity.

Parish clerk Graham Leaver told reporters: "To be honest, they could have walked in among people here and nobody would have recognised them looking at the way they were dressed.

"They came into our parish office and it took most of us a few minutes to realise they were there. They were particularly interested in talking to the troops."

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said the Queen has joined the relief effort supplying feed and bedding from the royal farms at Windsor to Somerset farmers.

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