Harry off the hook: No one to face charges over hen harrier shootings on Queen's estate

It was an incident that enraged bird-lovers and intrigued royal-watchers.

But yesterday prosecutors announced that no action will be taken over the illegal killing of two hen harriers at Sandringham.

The rare birds of prey were shot at the Queen's Norfolk estate a fortnight ago, witnessed by three people including a nature expert.

It later emerged that Prince Harry was in the area at the time as part of a shooting party of three.

All were subsequently interviewed by police but insisted they had "no knowledge" of the incident.

With none of the witnesses able to confirm who fired the fatal shots and the birds' bodies disappearing from the scene in unexplained circumstances, the Crown Prosecution Service decided no one would be charged.

A successful prosecution under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act could have meant a maximum six-month jail term and £5,000 fine for the person who pulled the trigger.

In a statement, the CPS said yesterday: "There is insufficient evidence to prosecute anyone over the shooting of the hen harriers. The bodies have not been found and there is no forensic or ballistic evidence.

"Witnesses also heard unexplained shooting in the area before the three suspects said they were present at the scene, so other people cannot be ruled out."

Reviewing CPS lawyer Andrew Baxter concluded: "The police investigation has been thorough and there are no other areas of investigation which can be pursued."

Wildlife organisations were furious at the outcome. Barry Hugill, of the League Against Cruel Sports, said: "How can any investigation be thorough if, after two weeks, they decide they are not going to charge anyone?"

Natural England, one of whose wardens witnessed the shooting, said it was disappointed at the outcome.

The witnesses heard two shots before the birds fell. But they could not see who was responsible because they were concealed by trees.

City banker William van Cutsem, 28, and gamekeeper David Clarke, 58, are known to have been with 23-year-old Harry at the time.

Mr Van Cutsem's father Hugh yesterday said he was "never in any doubt" his son would be cleared of wrongdoing.

Clarence House refused to comment.