Prince Harry will not skip royal hunting tradition, Meghan Markle gives him the OK to shoot pheasants on Boxing Day
Prince Harry seems to have gotten an early Chrismas gift from his beloved wife Meghan Markle. According to a new report, Harry will be joining his family and friends on Boxing Day for shooting pheasants, a royal annual tradition that was jeopardized by recent reports that the British prince might give it a miss at Meghan's insistence.
It was earlier reported that the Duchess of Sussex, considered sympathetic to animal rights issue, had 'banned' her husband in joining the pheasant hunt, but now an insider has confirmed the news that the Duke of Sussex will indeed be joining other members of the royal family and go out as normal.
A palace source said, "It's completely untrue that Her Royal Highness has banned the Duke from shooting." This news will definitely cheer all of Harry's shooting pals, were extremely worried by reports that the prince had abandoned his shotguns.
David Roper–Curzon, Lord Teynham's son and heir, who has gone shooting with the Prince, says: "He's a very good shot. Not only that, he is a great figure in supporting those who work in that industry."
It is also understood that Harry's labrador, which he recently got with wife Meghan, will be acting as a gun dog.
According to another insider, "Like Harry, Meghan is very keen to promote wildlife charities and animal conservation. However, Harry believes the shooting is a sustainable field sport and she won't stop him." This is because for the royals, shooting necessarily means understanding the countryside and the delicate balance that is best protected by active management of the land.
Prince Harry, if he does choose to go for Boxing Day activities, will be joined by father Prince Charles, brother Prince William, who might even ask young son Prince George to accompany them for the sport.
When rumors of Meghan banning Harry were rife, a royal insider said, "In his mind, William sees this as another concerning example of his younger brother being pulled away from his family by his new wife."
The insider continued, "Harry’s always loved hunting and it has provided them with a great chance to bond as brothers. But now it looks like Harry’s shooting days are over. It’s the latest point of contention between the Princes after a testing time in their relationship."
