Prince William bodyguard in gun mishap

A royal protection officer's gun dropped to the ground as Prince William left a restaurant in the early hours of Thursday.

The prince was leaving a restaurant in Chelsea, west London, when the gun fell from the officer's holster.

The incident, captured on camera, happened as the officer tried to bundle aside a photographer who was trying to take pictures of the prince climbing into a waiting Range Rover.

A Glock 9mm semi-automatic pistol dropped from a hip holster hidden underneath the bodyguard's shirt, according to reports.

He and a colleague then scrambled to the ground to retrieve the gun as it skidded into the road.

Prince William had been out with friends to the Nam Long Le Shaker Vietnamese restaurant and bar in Old Brompton Road.

An eyewitness said: "It was all over very quickly and William didn't seem aware of what had happened.

"A few people had gathered. Some waiters were trying to get them out of the way as William prepared to leave.

"A bodyguard who had been with him opened the door of the Range Rover and two guards got out of another car to force the photographer across the road."

Police said they had been informed of the incident and said there was no risk to the prince or anyone else.