Explorer

Narendra Modi, Theresa May and the curious case of a pregnant duck

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with his British counterpart Theresa May at her Downing Street office earlier this week could have turned chaotic if a pregnant duck nesting in one of the windows had been accidentally disturbed, it has emerged.

LONDON: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with his British counterpart Theresa May at her Downing Street office earlier this week could have turned chaotic if a pregnant duck nesting in one of the windows had been accidentally disturbed, it has emerged. On Wednesday, before the visiting Indian prime minister arrived at 10 Downing Street for his breakfast meeting with May, the British Prime Minister's aides had an additional briefing for her keep away from the brooding duck dubbed as "Duckula" to avert a crisis of a non-political nature. May was warned by her chief of staff, Gavin Barwell and another aide that the brown bird, highly protective of her unborn ducklings, might attack if anyone got too close to the nest, The Sunday Times reported. Modi's bilateral meeting with May at her office was his first stop during his four-day UK visit to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). The two leaders covered a wide range of topics of mutual interest during their interaction, without upsetting the nesting duck it would seem. The so-called "feathered fiend" had taken up residence in a window box outside the Cabinet Room of No 10 Downing Street while she sat on her eggs. "Ducks can be extremely aggressive when their eggs are about to hatch. They go a bit quackers," an aide told the newspaper. "It's a hot day. If you're lucky, Prime Minister, the duck will go to the pond," the aide told May. She also hosted the leaders of Canada, Australia and New Zealand Justin Trudeau, Malcolm Turnbull and Jacinda Ardern, pregnant with her first child later on Wednesday, who were all reportedly warned to stay away from the bird. Ducklings hatch every spring in the Downing Street garden. When they are big enough, a member of staff is deputed to open the back gate so they can cross Horse Guards Parade behind the Prime Ministerial office-cum-residence to join the thriving mallard community in St. James's Park. "There they can live out their lives in peace. The police help them over the road," a Downing Street official was quoted as saying.
View More
Advertisement
Advertisement
25°C
New Delhi
Rain: 100mm
Humidity: 97%
Wind: WNW 47km/h
See Today's Weather
powered by
Accu Weather
Advertisement

Top Headline

Kejriwal To Stay Delhi CM From Jail As High Court Finds 'No Legal Bar,' Ball In LG's Court Now
Kejriwal To Stay Delhi CM From Jail As High Court Finds 'No Legal Bar,' Ball In LG's Court Now
PM Modi Calls Congress A 'Bully' After Lawyers Write To CJI. Here's What He Said
PM Modi Calls Congress A 'Bully' After Lawyers Write To CJI. Here's What He Said
Roof Collapses During Renovation Work At Chennai Bar, 3 Dead
Roof Collapses During Renovation Work At Chennai Bar, 3 Dead
Arvind Kejriwal To Stay In ED Custody For 3 More Days — A Timeline Of Delhi CM's Battle In Courts
Arvind Kejriwal To Stay In ED Custody For 3 More Days — A Timeline Of Delhi CM's Battle In Courts
Advertisement
for smartphones
and tablets

Videos

Elvish Yadav's reaction on Munawar Faruqui's arrest, Watch Video | HOT NewsNawazuddin Siddiqui And Aliya Fixes Relationship Disbalance For Kids Upbringing | Khabar Filmy HaiRamayana: Sakshi Tanwar dismisses speculations of being a part of the movie, Watch videoWill there be a date clash between Bigg Boss 18 and Lock Up Season 2? | HOT News

Photogallery

Embed widget