Originally Posted by Daily Mail
But his plan has been described as misguided by some experts, who say destroying legally held stocks would make ivory an even rarer commodity and actively encourage poaching.
They point out that previous attempts to suppress the ivory trade by destroying stockpiles have simply driven up the price of tusks.
The Royal Collection, which is not owned by the Queen but is held in trust for the nation, includes 1,200 ivory items such as rare paintings, pianos, bookcases, tables, chairs and carvings.
Much of it was presented to the prince’s ancestors by foreign countries – which may take a dim view of their gifts being destroyed.
William’s radical suggestion, made to veteran primatologist Dame Jane Goodall, would also threaten a portrait of his own grandmother – the collection includes a miniature of the Queen as a toddler, painted on ivory in 1928.
Dame Jane told the Independent On Sunday that William had told her he would ‘like to see all the ivory owned by Buckingham Palace destroyed’.
Art experts reacted with horror, claiming it would decimate an important part of Britain’s heritage, of which he was merely a ‘custodian’.
David Harper, an antiques expert and art broker, said: ‘This is bonkers beyond belief. The very idea of destroying beautiful and valuable artwork to make a point is crazy.
‘It will only put more elephants’ lives at risk. By getting rid of such a large collection, it will actually put up the price of tusks. People’s lust for ivory would only increase and it would be a great day for the traders.’
He said that instead of destroying its ivory, Britain should donate it to the Far East, thereby flooding the market and reducing its attractiveness. Or it could be sold overseas and the profits used for conservation work in Africa.
William’s apparent brainwave came days after he launched United For Wildlife, a coalition of seven organisations including the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and London Zoo, which aims to end the illegal wildlife trade.
