A significant Royal Family annual tradition may soon come to an end due to an issue on the Sandringham estate. Every year on Boxing Day, members of the Royal Family are said to meet in Sandringham, where many also spend Christmas with the monarch, for a day of pheasant shooting.
The activity has been taking place on the estate for decades, and most royals have participated at some point. However, as The Sun reported this week, this could soon alter.
This is because, according to reports, the royal estate is running out of pheasants to shoot. This is said to have left King Charles, 76, “livid”.
It has also been reported that a long-serving gamekeeper at the Norfolk estate – which is one of the few remaining wild shoots in the count – has been let go from his role.
The King does not want to release birds from breeders to increase the population.
Instead, the pheasants shot were typically raised on the estate, but a lack of pheasants has recently jeopardized the hunting activity.
While it is considered to be a royal Boxing Day tradition, it is believed that not every royal takes part.
Although unsubstantiated, Meghan Markle, who only spent two Christmases at Sandringham, is thought to have disliked pheasant hunting.
Meanwhile, Princess Kate, 43, has been seen on several times accompanying her husband, Prince William, 42, and other royals on shoots.
Buckingham Palace did not return The Sun’s request for comment. Express.co.uk also called the Palace for comment.
