THE Queen has been informed of the 'sad passing' of Shenkin, the goat who is best known to the people of Wales as the regimental mascot of 3rd Battalion The Royal Welsh.

Shenkin recently featured in the Brecon and Radnor Express during the visit of Prince Charles to the Regimental Museum of the Royal Welsh at Brecon Barracks in July.

He was very well known to the Welsh public with regular appearances at the Welsh rugby internationals and Six Nations matches, leading out the Wales team with his handler, Goat Major Sergeant Mark Jackson.

A statement released by the Army’s press office at Brecon Barracks said: "Lance Corporal Shenkin III, the Regimental Mascot of 3rd Battalion The Royal Welsh, sadly passed away yesterday at the age of 7½.

"A letter was sent to Her Majesty The Queen officially informing her of Shenkin’s passing and also asking permission for the Regiment to select a new goat."

Shenkin was a Kashmiri goat hailing from the Royal Herd at the Great Orme in Llandudno.

Goats from the herd have been presented to the Regiment since 1844 when Queen Victoria first presented the Royal Welch Fusiliers with its first official Royal goat.

He was selected for duty following the death of his predecessor, also called Shenkin and holding the rank of Lance Corporal, in July 2009.

Ever since Shenkin’s first day in service he has been partnered with the Goat Major of the 3 R Welsh and was looked after at Maindy Barracks in Cardiff.

Sgt Mark “Jacko” Jackson has been at Shenkin’s side for the past five and a half years and both have become household names in Wales.

Shenkin will have a headstone commissioned that will be placed outside Regimental Headquarters in Maindy Barracks. His headstone will join those of his predecessors who have served The Royal Welsh and antecedent Regiments.

“He was a legend,” said Sgt Mark Jackson. “He wasn’t just a Regimental goat, but part of my family as well. He loved a crowd and was a total poser”.

Lieutenant Colonel Nigel Crewe-Read, Commanding Officer 3 R Welsh, said: “Shenkin was the figurehead for the battalion and would lead us wherever we went. He was a symbol of the great traditions of The Royal Welsh.

“LCpl Shenkin was always very steady on parade and was immaculate at the presentation of new colours to the Regiment by Her Majesty The Queen in 2015 at, what was then named, the Millennium Stadium. He had a real rapport with the public, across all ages,” said Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) Chris Kilminster, Regimental Secretary of The Royal Welsh.

The process of finding Shenkin’s successor from the Royal Herd at the Great Orme will soon begin but while that continues Llywelyn, the Regimental Mascot for 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh, will assume duties, including that of leading the Wales team out for the Autumn Internationals at the Principality Stadium.

The case for official mascot recognition is presented before the Army Honours and Distinction Committee and by receiving official status the mascot attains a regimental number, assumes proper rank and with prospects of promotion.

Junior ranks do not have to salute Regimental mascots which have officer rank because they do not hold the Queen’s Commission.