William and Harry's 'private effort' to help flooded town

Princes William and Harry have left the flood-hit village of Datchet in Berkshire after a day moving sandbags in a "private" mission to help residents.

Read more: Torrential rain and severe gales sweep across the UK

Watch: William and Harry form human chain to unload sandbags

Princes William and Harry formed a human chain to unload sandbags from an Army vehicle as they joined colleagues from the armed forces in helping to defend Datchet from the floods.

The private visit was unannounced but once news of their work spread, they were followed by journalists and cameramen.

Asked by ITV News whether he was enjoying helping, Prince Harry replied: "Not really with you guys around".

Watch: William tells 'reporters to help instead of throwing cameras around'

William and Harry's visit to flood-hit Datchet has "gone down very well", according to the village's parish clerk.

"They were very involved and wanting to know what was going on," parish clerk Graham Leaver said.

"They have been in Datchet and the area and I think it's gone down very well. That is my assessment.

"They were very natural. To be honest, they could have walked in among people here and nobody would have recognised them looking at the way they were dressed.

"They came into our parish office and it took most of us a few minutes to realise they were there. They were particularly interested in talking to the troops."

Watch: Harry 'not enjoying' media attention during Datchet visit

Princes William and Harry have now left the flood-hit village of Datchet after spending the morning helping to defend the town from the floods.

The royals, dressed in waterproofs and wellington boots, moved sandbags from an Army vehicle onto the back of a train wagon where they were then delivered to homeowners who have struggled to defend their properties.

Watch: William tells reporters to 'come and help instead of throwing cameras around'

Asked by ITV News whether he was enjoying helping in flood-hit Datchet, Prince Harry replied: "Not really with you guys around".

The royals were spotted on their "private" mission to help residents by journalists this morning and they have since been followed by reporters and photographers as they continue their visit.

Earlier, Prince William suggested that reporters should "come and help instead of throwing cameras around" after he was pictured loading sandbags in the flood.

Prince William has suggested that reporters gathered in flood-hit Datchet should "come and help instead of throwing cameras around."

The Duke of Cambridge was speaking to ITV News reporter Rupert Evelyn shortly after being pictured alongside his brother Harry helping to move sandbags in the Berkshire village.

Read: Royals 'wanted to show support for flood victims'

Princes William and Harry wanted to show their support for the flood victims, Kensington Palace have said, after the pair were spotted helping unload sandbags in Datchet, Berkshire this morning.

A spokesman from Kensington Palace said:

Read: Royals turned up at 7am to help flood-relief efforts

Princes William and Harry have been spotted helping move sandbags in flood-hit Datchet.

The royals turned up at 7am at Datchet Golf Club where they helped load sandbags onto a crane, according to local reporter John Dickens.

Datchet has been heavily affected by the ongoing floods crisis and with further heavy rain due, there have been fears the situation could deteriorate.

Read: William tells media: Why don't you put notepads down and help?

Prince William approached journalists from the Guardian and said: “Why don’t you put your notebook down and give us a hand with the sandbags?”

William and Harry were spotted along with Prince Harry helping move sandbags in flood-hit Datchet.

However after reporters agreed to help, aides intervened and said it would not be possible due to a lack of appropriate clothing.

Princes William and Harry have been filmed helping unload sandbags in a private trip to the flood-hit village of Datchet in Berkshire.

Dressed in waterproofs and wellingtons, the royals helped shift heavy sandbags onto the back of an army truck.

The princes were spotted working with the team of 20 members of the Household Cavalry and Network rail staff by a Guardian reporter.

A royal aide told the newspaper that the pair had been working with members of the Army unit this morning in numerous locations and that it was a "private effort" to help.