Diana photo removed from zoo 'to keep focus on Duke'

Bosses at Chester Zoo have defended a decision to take down a picture of Diana, Princess of Wales, before a Royal visit.

The framed photograph was removed from the boardroom of Chester Zoo before an official visit by the Duke of Kent.

A plaque in the chimpanzee house, which commemorated its opening by Diana, was also taken down.

Zoo chiefs denied suggestions that Diana's image was removed in case it offended the royal guest. They insisted the items were taken down to 'keep focus' on the Duke of Kent, who was visiting to present a Queen's Award for sustainable development and open a new animal enclosure.

A spokeswoman said: "Yesterday was a very special day for all the members of the zoo staff and council, and the visit by the Duke of Kent went very smoothly.

"The event here was very much about the Duke and the valued staff members. That being the case, we felt it was best to temporarily take down all Royal Family photographs, so that the Duke remained the focus of the event."

She added that a photograph of the Duke of Westminster, who is the zoo's president, was taken down for the same reason.