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Former Queen guitarist Brian May has slammed Princes William and Harry for going hunting
Rocker Brian May has attacked Princes William and Harry following reports of both going on hunting trips just weeks before pledging to save Africa’s critically endangered wildlife.
The 66-year-old former Queen guitarist has spoken out against the two young royals, comparing their hunting to 19th century supporters of slavery and saying their slaughter of animals is ‘inhumane’ and that it ‘sickened’ him.
The Princes returned earlier this month from a hunting holiday on the estate of William’s godfather, the Duke of Westminster in Cordoba, Spain where they shot wild boar and stags.
Harry has also faced criticism over a recently emerged photo of him brandishing a gun and smiling over the **** of a water buffalo.
Both Princes are outspoken supporters of international efforts to stop illegal poaching, attended the conference on the Illegal Wildlife Trade on Thursday with their father Prince Charles to discuss ways to save endangered wildlife.
Speaking to The Sun’s Natalie Edwards, the rocker-turned-activist said: ‘it made me feel sick. This is right at the heart of the problem we are looking at in this government.
‘It’s the whole attitude of the privileged classes – you can rescue rhinos and elephants in Africa but kill at will anything you want if you’re rich.
‘It’s not logical, justifiable or humane and is the same as people in the 19th century trying to justify slavery.’
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Worries: Speaking at a conference on Thursday, Charles – flanked by his two sons – warned that the imminent extinction of some of the world’s most precious species would have ‘dire consequences for humanity’
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Croucing over the **** of a water buffalo: The picture was taken in November 2024, when the then 20-year-old was on a gap year trip to South America shortly before he enrolled at Sandhurst military academy
It is worth noting that though William and Harry hunt, there is no suggestion that they have ever shot an animal illegally or any endangered species.
The musician, who received a CBE from the Palace, made the controversial comments just days after Prince William also reportedly promised to destroy all the ivory from the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace.
The Duke of Cambridge, 31, is said to want to act in the hope that it will ‘send a message’ to illegal elephant poachers and encourage other heads of state to follow suit.
The priceless collection includes around 1,200 items which contain ivory – from fans and miniatures to a throne from India presented to Queen Victoria with elephant-ivory plaques.
Jane Goodall, a veteran primatologist, said she had spoken to the Prince and he declared he would ‘like to see all the ivory owned by Buckingham Palace destroyed’.
Read more: Brian May slams Prince William and Prince Harry for hunting holiday | Mail Online
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