The British Army has demoted a regimental goat mascot for disrupting a ceremony to mark Queen Elizabeth's birthday by head-butting drummers from behind.

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"The goat, which has been the Royal Welsh's mascot since 2001, was supposed to be leading the march, but would not stay in line," Capt. Crispian Coates told the Western Mail by telephone from a military base on Cyprus. "He was reported for insubordination and after consideration, the commanding officer decided he had no option but to demote Billy."

The 6-year-old goat is a descendant of a goat from the royal herd given to the regiment in 1746, the newspaper said.

The report said the demotion to fusilier from lance corporal will not affect Billy's daily ration of two unfiltered cigarettes, which he eats every day.