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Prince William has vowed to destroy all the ivory in Buckingham Palace, it was reported yesterday.

The Duke of Cambridge, 31, is said to want to act in the hope that it will "send a message" to illegal elephant poachers and encourage heads of state around the world to follow suit.

The priceless collection includes around 1,200 items which contain ivory – from fans and miniatures to a throne from India presented to Queen Victoria with elephant-ivory plaques.

Jane Goodall, a veteran primatologist, said she had spoken to the prince and he declared he would 'like to see all the ivory owned by Buckingham Palace destroyed'.

The plan has been widely praised, with Conservative MP Zac Goldsmith saying: "It's difficult to imagine a stronger symbol of the horrors of ivory than Buckingham Palace publicly destroying its own.

"Good for Prince William for pushing this."

But art critic Brian Sewell called the move "pointless", adding: "I can't see the connection between saving elephants and destroying works of art made centuries ago."

The collection comprises more than a million paintings, antiques and artefacts held in trust on behalf of the nation.

A Kensington Palace spokesman declined to comment.