Philip shoots down those heart rumours (...not to mention a few pheasants)

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The 86-year-old Duke of Edinburgh was spotted driving around in his Land Rover, walking unaided and taking pot shots at birds flying overhead on the 20,000-acre Royal estate at Sandringham, Norfolk.

The Prince was reported last week to have been suffering from a heart condition for the past 15 years and the Queen was said to have become increasingly concerned about his ill health in recent weeks.

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Gun ho: Prince Philip leads a shoot at Sandringham yesterday

But yesterday the Prince seemed determined to prove the concerns were wrong. An onlooker said: "There did not seem to be anything wrong with him at all. He looked as fit as a butcher's dog.

"They don't call him the Iron Duke for nothing. His schedule puts many men half his age to shame."

Last night Andrew Tyler, director of the charity Animal Aid, said: "Exercise in the countryside is excellent, not least for someone of advanced years like Prince Philip.

"But it can be enjoyed without spilling blood and causing death and suffering to birds."

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Central role: the Prince refused to curtail his busy work schedule despite ill health, but the scare has focused attention on securing the long-term future of the monarchy

The Prince's excursion came as Norfolk Police investigated claims that two protected hen harriers were illegally shot on the estate last Wednesday.

Hen harriers are among the most persecuted birds of prey in Britain because they eat game birds.