Meghan asks Harry to ditch a royal Christmas tradition

As royal traditions go, this was always one of Prince Harry’s favourites, but it seems Meghan has had the final say as he looks set to miss the Christmas hunt for the second year running.

Meghan, 37, an outspoken activist for animal welfare, has asked Harry to ditch the traditional Christmas pheasant shoot, something he had been doing alongside his brother William for 20 years.

However a source has claimed his wife has had words to him about killing “defenceless animals”, The Sun reports.

And it couldn’t come at a worse time, with rumours of a rift between Harry and William continuing to swirl.

“In his mind, William sees this as another concerning example of his younger brother being pulled away from his family by his new wife,” a source told the Sunday Mirror.

“But now it looks like Harry’s shooting days are over.”

Now it seems William will go with Prince Charles and his son George.

Indeed, it’s not the first time Harry has skipped an important royal tradition to appease his new wife Meghan.

The royal couple were noticeably absent from Balmoral Castle back in September, where one of the main activities, since way back in 1853, is the traditional royal grouse hunt.

Prince George made headlines when he somewhat controversially took part in his first hunt at age five. Mum Kate Middleton was there, along with most of the Windsors, but Prince Harry was reportedly not present.

Harry used to be an avid hunter and did his first grouse hunt 21 years ago. But it seems that is now all over.

Back in December last year, shortly after the couple announced their engagement, Harry already skipped the Boxing Day hunt once, a decision which at the time “stunned” the royal family, The Sun reports.

“Harry loves it and has always been out there on Boxing Day. But if it means breaking with long-standing royal traditions to avoid upsetting her, so be it,” a royal source told the publication.

Looks like Harry has put his hunting gear away for good.

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