Pippa Middleton invited to Sandringham

Pippa Middleton has been asked to take part in the traditional Boxing Day pheasant shoot at Sandringham, normally restricted to members of the Royal family and their spouses. It’s thought that it's mainly for her sister Kate’s benefit, to help here feel more at home. Kate has been practicing her shooting skills and will try to match her husband, who is an excellent shot.

Sandringham is the much-loved country retreat of Her Majesty The Queen, and has been the private home of four generations of British monarchs since 1862. The house, set in 24 hectares of stunning gardens, is perhaps the most famous stately home in Norfolk and is at the heart of the 8,000-hectare Sandringham Estate, 240 hectares of which make up the woodland and heath of the Country Park, open to the public free of charge every day of the year.

But William “Bill” Edgar Oddie said he was disappointed that Kate did not taken the opportunity to set an example and break away from the needless and bloodthirsty traditions of hunting. Oddie who became famous as one of The Goodies, is an English author, actor, comedian, artist and naturalist and was appalled when he saw pictures of Kate and her sister brandishing shotguns.

Oddie wrote “Disappointment and despair were amongst my emotions at seeing photos in the papers of Kate Middleton toting a rifle”. He went on “The Duchess of Cambridge has a real opportunity to set a different, 21st century kind of example and sadly she has not taken it. As little as 200 years ago, people in this country were shooting ducks and game for food – but those days are long gone. …For most countries wildlife conservation, and this case protecting birds, is something to be proud of.”