Princess Anne shows support for fox hunting (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Princess Anne shows support for fox hunting

THE Princess Royal has become the first member of the Royal Family to be pictured fox-hunting since the ban on the sport was forced through Parliament.

She was pictured riding with the prestigious Beaufort Hunt. Charles and his two sons, William and Harry, have frequently hunted with the Beaufort.

Princess Anne reportedly arrived for the start of the meet at Chavenage House, in Chavenage, near Tetbury, and rode until lunchtime with the hunt.

She was joined by around 100 members of the Beaufort on horseback and another 50 on foot.

A spokesman for Buckingham Palace said he had no comment on the matter, saying only: "It is a private matter for her."

John Bryant, from the anti-hunt campaign group Protect Our Wild Animals, said the Princess had shown "contempt" for Parliament by going hunting.

But a spokeswoman for the pro-hunt Countryside Alliance said: "Hunting is still legal. If she (the Princess) is making a stand, she is making a stand about an unjust law that has been brought in a dubious political way.

"At the moment there is no reason why she should not hunt."