Sunday 8 May 2022 12:11 AM William's best friend was 'frisked in his pyjamas by police' during a raid on ... trends now

Duke of Cambridge's best friend William van Cutsem was 'frisked in his pyjamas by police' during a raid on his Norfolk estate to probe illegal gamekeeping Prince George's godfather William van Cutsem was frisked getting out of bed Officers were searching for signs that gamekeepers were killing wildlife illegally Officers found no evidence of wrongdoing, but Mr Van Cutsem was 'rattled' A friend told The Mail on Sunday the 42-year-old suspects an ex-employee

By Charlotte Griffiths Editor At Large For The Mail On Sunday

Published: 23:58 BST, 7 May 2022 | Updated: 00:00 BST, 8 May 2022

View
comments

Prince William's best friend was frisked in his pyjamas by police during a raid on his Norfolk estate to investigate illegal gamekeeping.

William van Cutsem, a godfather to Prince George, was searched on his doorstep in a 10.30pm swoop on farm buildings at Hilborough House estate near Swaffham nine days ago.

Officers were searching for signs that gamekeepers on the 4,400-acre property had been using illegal methods to kill wildlife that posed a threat to the estate's renowned flock of wild partridges.

Mr Van Cutsem, pictured with Prince William (right) in 2009, is Prince George's godfather

It is illegal to target protected birds of prey such as buzzards or use outdated traps and poison to cull predators.

Hilborough gamekeepers use legal methods for vermin control, including the shooting of foxes and trapping of