Edward, the third son and youngest child of Queen Elizabeth, was pictured in newspapers waving a 1.2-meter stick at the gundogs.

The 44-year-old Earl of Wessex had his shotgun under his arm, with his stick in the air and very close to a dog's head.

The dogs were fighting over a dead pheasant during a shooting outing at Queen Elizabeth's Sandringham estate in eastern England, where the royals spend their winter break.

A spokesman at Buckingham Palace argued: "It has not been determined that he did strike the dog. He broke up the fight with the dogs and pictures show him waving his stick around.

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"We cannot confirm, however, whether he struck the dog."

Reports were that the queen's husband, Prince Philip, second son Prince Andrew and Prince William, second in line to the throne, were also on the shoot.

Barry Hugill, a spokesman for the League Against Cruel Sports, said: "People in blood sports tend to show a complete disregard for the welfare of animals. He has set a truly sickening example."

Andrew Tyler, director of Animal Aid, added: "It is an offense to cause an animal unnecessary suffering. Hitting a dog is a pathetic, cowardly and vicious act. It would appear he has had a royal tantrum."

It is not the first time the royal family has been accused of animal cruelty during shoots.

Queen Elizabeth was pictured wringing the neck of a pheasant at Sandringham eight years ago.

And last year Prince Harry, William's younger brother, was questioned by police over the shooting of two hen harriers, among Britain's rarest birds.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE