THE Queen’s swans have been struck down with bird flu.
Vets humanely culled 26 on the Thames at Windsor to stop the spread of the deadly disease.
Six lifeless birds were pulled from the river earlier this month.
Officials at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs then called in a vet for the cull at the Swan Lifeline rescue centre — just a mile from Windsor Castle.
Another dead swan was found yesterday morning, bringing the avian influenza death toll to 33.
There are between 150 and 200 swans in a 3km at-risk zone but estimates vary as annual Swan Upping counts have been disrupted by Covid-19 restrictions.
The Queen’s Swan Marker David Barber has informed Her Majesty who is said to be “saddened” and asked to be kept “fully updated”.
Swan Support’s Wendy Hermon, 52, said: “It is a nightmare and could end up a disaster.
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"I know the Queen always shows great concern for her flock of swans.”
The Queen owns all unmarked mute swans in England and Wales and her official title is Seigneur of the Swans.
A spokesman did not want to comment.
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