CONTROVERSY AS WILLIAM JOINS FATHER AT HUNT
Prince William joined his father Prince
Charles on the Beaufort Hunt on the
first day of the new foxhunting season,
amid renewed debate among the pro
and anti-hunt lobbies in the battle over
the future of the sport.
Anti-hunt campaigners accused the
Prince of Wales of using his sons to
make "a political statement".
John Cooper, chairman of the League
Against Cruel Sports, said: "He is clearly
trying to intimidate MPs into shelving a
(hunt) ban"
However, there were no saboteurs at
the hunt.
Prince William, who has been foxhunting
several times in the past, rode a a white
horse as he joined the other 200 riders.
He was dressed, like his father, in the
traditional uniform of tweed jacket,
jodhpurs and riding cap.
Meanwhile Prince Harry followed their
progress on a motorcycle around the
Gloucestershire countryside close to
Prince Charles' Highgrove home at
Tetbury.
Although the Beaufort Hunt's official
opening meeting has not yet taken
place, they were taking part in what is
known as autumn hunting.
A hunt marshal said the idea of autumn
hunting is to stir the families of foxes up
and get them ready for the new season.
It also allows the hounds to pick up the
scent.
One young female hunter said: "It's very
nice to have royalty here. It feels really
posh. It's nice to be able to see them
enjoying themselves."
International eventer Tony Pellett
added: "They're very sociable and mix
very well with everyone."