Beware of falling police

They have survived Cromwell, the Blitz and the close attentions of a Soviet spy.

But now one of the Queen's prized paintings has fallen prey to an unexpected danger: a policeman determined to protect the Royal Collection.

The unnamed officer was attempting to close a window in St James's Palace when he tumbled from a chair, pulling down curtains and tearing a sizable hole at the heart of a large oil painting.

One small consolation for the royals is that the work is by the 19th century painter Morley and not, as first feared, the Queen's favourite - and rather more valuable - artist George Stubbs.

Posted by David on August 17, 2004 9:51 AM