Prince Charles has been in a car accident involving a deer.
Prince Charles
The 67-year-old royal was unhurt in the collision, which took place on his mother Queen Elizabeth's Balmoral estate in Scotland, but the Audi A4 Allroad Estate he was driving was left "badly damaged".
A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Red Deer are a hazard on the roads up here and most drivers have had a brush with them at some point.
"Charles is a careful driver but sometimes they dash out on the road and there's little you can do. He'll have got a hell of a fright."
It is not known if the deer survived.
A specialist mechanic had to be dispatched to Balmoral, which is in the Scottish Highlands, to carry out repairs on Charles' car.
A Clarence House spokesperson refused to comment on the accident, which took place in the last few days while the prince was on a break from official duties.
A number of members of the royal family are currently at Balmoral, with Charles' son Prince William, his wife Duchess Catherine and their children Prince George, three, and Princess Charlotte, 16 months, arriving a week ago at the invitation of the queen.
They have also been accompanied by Catherine's parents, Carole and Michael Middleton.
As well as Charles' wife, Duchess Camilla, and the queen's husband, Prince Philip, the monarch's daughter, Princess Anne, is also currently at the estate while she takes a break from royal duty after contracting a bad chest infection.
Charles' younger son, Prince Harry, is also expected to join his family at some point.
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