‘Insensitive’: Princess Mary and Prince Frederik slammed over disturbing hunting photos
A disturbing image of Crown Princess Mary and her husband Prince Frederik posing in front of slain deer has been slammed as “cruel” by animal activists.
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A disturbing image of Crown Princess Mary and her husband Prince Frederik posing with dead deer has been blasted as “cruel” by animal activists.
The Danish royals were pictured outside Fredensborg Palace with the animals, which had been senselessly shot dead during the annual King’s Hunt, hosted by Frederik.
In a statement, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals described the royals’ support of hunting as “cruel”.
“There is nothing noble about shooting defenceless animals for fun,” a PETA spokeswoman said today.
Australian-born Princess Mary is Denmark’s queen-in-waiting, and she and Frederik have previously been criticised for allowing their young children to attend a previous hunting-related “parade”.
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“Given the now well-established link between cruelty to animals in childhood and violent behaviour in adulthood, not only is it insensitive for Prince Frederik and Princess Mary to teach their children that killing animals is acceptable, it’s also a poor parenting decision,” PETA’s spokeswoman said in a statement to News Corp.
“Few people today view hunting as anything other than a violent blood sport, a cheap thrill at taking a life and a display of wanton power over the powerless.
“It is surely the parents’ responsibility to help children grow into compassionate leaders for their country, with respect for all living beings.”
Under local law, the Danish royals are allowed to hunt in “one third” of the country’s forest, Daily Mail reported, with the hunting season spanning from October to January.
The royals – even Britain’s Prince Harry and Prince William – have had a longstanding history of hunting.
Last year, reports emerged that Harry had been banned by his wife, Meghan Markle, from the royals’ annual Boxing Day tradition.
It later emerged that he did actually participate. “It’s completely untrue that Her Royal Highness has banned the Duke from shooting,” a palace source said, according to New York magazine.
Originally published as ‘Insensitive’: Princess Mary and Prince Frederik slammed over disturbing hunting photos