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Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew , has been issued an urgent warning over his seven dogs - including the two corgis he inherited from Queen Elizabeth II. Both Andrew and Prince William have been told they must keep their dogs away from a lake in Windsor Great Park - where King Charles is Head Ranger - due to poisonous algae. The potentially-deadly algae has been discovered in Obelisk Pond - just a mile from Royal Lodge, the home from which Andrew was evicted this week. Charles was informed that a late “bloom” of the algae has taken over the royal lake, and has ordered warning signs to be put up to keep dogs out the water. As head ranger he also agreed to bring in a team of experts to deal with the infestation, which could also be very harmful to humans if they come into contact with it. Vets warn that if dogs drink the water in Obelisk Pond, they could suffer severe vomiting, liver damage and death. A Windsor Castle source said: “Andrew inherited two of the Queen’s corgis after she died in 2022 and has five Norfolk terriers, and lives just a mile from the lake. “He rarely walks his dogs now as his woes over the last few years have left him extremely demoralised, but they are walked regularly by staff to Obelisk pond. Prince William is about to move into Forest Lodge in the Great Park and has a cocker spaniel called Orla who loves her walks and will also be a mile away. “They have both received emails warning them of the blue-green algae in Obelisk Pond and the other major lakes in the Great Park are all now being urgently tested. Everyone living in Windsor Great Park and those with angling licences or who are members have been messaged that the killer disease is in that lake. “Warning signs have gone up and anyone ignoring those signs and who let their dogs go in the lake, or their children play in the water, do so at great risk. “The royals have always loved the Great Park as they can walk their dogs or ride their horses - or as Prince Philip did, drive his horse and carriage - in relative privacy. Experts have been called in to tackle the deadly algae bacteria.” A warning on the Windsor Great Park website said: “A late 'bloom' of blue-green algae has been detected on Obelisk Pond and it can be dangerous. “Dogs are at risk from blue-green algae if the swim in it or drink it or if they get algae caught in their fur and ingest it while cleaning themselves later on... Please keep your dog out of Obelisk pond until further notice.” The Blue Cross animal welfare charity website, which is linked to the Windsor Great Park warning, said the algae is a dangerous type of cyanobacterium. The website said: “Exposure to toxic blue-green algae is often fatal and it can cause long-term health problems in dogs that survive it.” Cyanobacteria grows during hot dry conditions where water flow is slow or stagnant. It is dispersed and diluted during periods of heavy rainfall. The Crown Estate said it is continuing to monitor the quality of many other lakes across the Great Park in addition to the affected pond.
