Oh deer! Prince’s love may have the right stuff

Posted: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 11:29 AM
Filed Under: London, England

By Chris Hampson, NBC News London Bureau Chief

I don’t know what kind of sweet nothings Prince William whispers into his girlfriend Kate Middleton’s ear.

But, inspired by this weekend’s British tabloids, let me take a guess at romancing royal style: "Darling – I want you to come and stay with Pa – win him and Camilla over - it’s time for them to know we are serious and in love - that you will be my queen one day.

"So what say you come over and shoot Bambi?"

Beats the usual slushy hearts and flowers stuff, right?

The Sunday papers here were positively gushing at photos of the comely Kate in her camouflage jacket stalking deer on the queen’s Scottish estates.

The romance is back on for sure, they screamed. A wedding can’t be far away. Look, here she is trying to impress her future Pa-in-law Prince Charles by shooting Santa’s little helpers (OK – so they weren’t reindeer, but they’re related).

VIDEO: Will Prince William get engaged?

Was that the distant glimmer of an engagement ring? Nope. It was a telescopic sight.

I couldn’t find anything on this in The Rules, but Kate sure seems to know how to win her way into her future in-laws hearts.

Noble hobby…
Back in the U.S.A. hunting with rifles is nothing unusual.

Over here it’s more usually the sport of kings, toffs, city bankers– and poachers.

Movie-goers will remember the deer-hunting scenes in the Oscar-winning movie "The Queen," where her Majesty gets all torn up about a noble beast that has literally lost its antlered head after falling to the hunter’s knife.

Get over it, Ma’am – we all know that killing the blighters has been one of the royals’ favorite hobbies through the ages.

The good news is that this particular bloody past-time is not as socially divisive here as fox hunting – once pithily described by Oscar Wilde as the "uneatable pursued by the unspeakable" – and it doesn’t lead to demonstrations in the streets.

But it wasn’t quite what we common folk were expecting from a modern, fashionable, girl-about-town and perhaps our future "Queen Kate." But it’s a sign – apparently, she’s made of the right stuff to be a royal.

No doubt the lady enjoyed the change. These days – thanks to the paparazzi – Kate’s usually the one being hunted.

The deer may have escaped her rifle sights at the weekend. But the photographer and the newspapers are having a field day.

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Comments

Good luck to William, may he find Love with the right kind of a lady soon, and get married. What are you waiting for William? Go for it. the sooner the better. The world is expecting another royal wedding that's what we want please.....
To Charles and Cammilla---be good folks and accept your future daughter in-law. She will brighten your days to come with grandchildren. Harry when is your lovely lady coming? Soon I hope. To The Queen Eliz. II and Prince Phillip, get ready for change like you never seen it before, and it will be a good one, you will see.

MaryAnn, Newton, New Jersey (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 11:52 AM)

I take great offense to the tone of your statements, as a woman, a mother and hunter for sustanance of my family, I am greatly disturbed by your flippant attitude to the sport of hunting. God put the animals on earth, some of which are used for food and others to support the food chain itself, including us. You, sir, are blissfully ignorant in your opinion of Ms. Middleton, if she chooses to hunt deer or any other wild game for sport, I believe she will do so with the utmost respect for the animals as do most other responsible hunters, especially in the U.S. Additionally, humanizing the animals we use for food as being "bambi" or "Santa's helpers", etc., is completely assanine, as they are the exact same as the chicken or beef you may eat from the grocery, we just do the work to obtain them. Maybe if you actually had to do the work, you would appreciate the skill and sport of hunting for your food.

Tonya, Fort Benton, Montana (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 12:10 PM)

How disgusting - lets just go shoot God's creatures for sport. The royal family has outlived its usefulness. Its time for the lot of them to go find paying jobs and be productive citizens, instead of a drain on the enconomy their country.

sandra (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 12:13 PM)

The options of hunting is a Choice.It is a long standing heritage in many and just shows this young lady has more capabilities and open mind to sport as well as being able to put meat on the table. As an woman and a hunter myself, I applaude her. When it all comes down to is a "choice to pull the trigger or not knowing we have the capability to do so, the freedom to practice in a legacy handed down from prior generations to provide food to the family". It is all together different when you know you can an opt out for a true trophy or know the meat is not a necessity. It is always a choice, please don't take any more of our freedoms away by condeming Kate or anyone who may enjoy the out door sports that others may not.
Rosemary Anderson
Atascadero,CA

Rosemary Anderson, Atascadero,CA (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 12:29 PM)

When will the royals come up with some nondestructive hobbies? Killing deer for sport falls into the same category as dogfighting. Animals being killed and maimed for human intertainment.

Lisa McDonald College Station TX (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 12:34 PM)

Go Kate! I love it - a fashionable intelligent woman using her outdoor skills! I hope young women see this and think, "Hey, maybe I'll try that!" The more we can get women in the outdoors, the more respect we generate for the outdoors in future generations.

Wild WoodsWoman, Wisconsin, USA (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 12:44 PM)

if it is true i would like to say congrats to you and i hope you find happiness.As for Bambi the way to a royal heart is through his royal stomach. remember squeeze the trigger.

JOHN FLORIDA (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 12:45 PM)

I do not believe Prince William is in line for the throne unless in case of death or abdication ? I understand he is British Royalty, but this "Yank" would compare this to Paris, Britney, and Lindsey. Wait a minute, are our Hollywood stars our royalty ? How could Paris, Britney, and Lindsey be anyone's royalty ? It ia all just something to talk about.

Daniel Schlafer (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 12:57 PM)

This girl's life is over. Can loving William be worth the torment she will face over the years? Hopefully she will stay away from Paris tunnels.

Jill Dunn (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 12:59 PM)

Dear Sir/Madam

Why is it you Yankees are SO obsessed with OUR Royal family? Remember, you got rid of them!! You are such a nation of hypocrites - most likely the reason why
the majority of people world-wide just shake their heads in exasperation when you try to inject yourselves into other sovereign nations' affairs - NOT always peaceably either. Your historical habit is to go on "with all guns blazing" and to ask questions later. My feeling is you have all watched too many John Wayne movies and think it is "cool" to emulate a Hollywood fictional character actor.

I do not expect that my opinions will be be "approved" as I am quite sure my contribution will not be "acceptable" to the majority of your readers who. no doubt, will be true "hot-blooded" American fanatics!!
Yours sincerely,
Janet C. Ridley, Cobourg, Ontario, CANAdA.

Janet C. Ridley (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 1:00 PM)

I am a woman who is an avid huntress - my husband LOVES that fact that I can shoot, field dress and pack out my animals, plus eat them with him!

Go Kate! What a woman!!!

karan godwin-corey, falcon, colorado (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 1:06 PM)

William,
Marry for love, and be humble.

Kate,
Do not set aside your beliefs for anyone. He may be the future king, but he is no better than anyone else.

Steve Sallis, San Diego, CA (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 1:12 PM)

I like Kate after seeing this. Shows she is capable, down to earth and not a koolaid drinker like so many who whine about hunting. Its a great sport and way of life.

J Rogers (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 1:13 PM)

To paraphrase the great philosopher, Homer Simpson... Mmmmm Bambi.

Abby Normal, Allentown PA (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 1:18 PM)

Janet:

We in the US don't really care about the Royal Family accept as a novelty. However, our habit of going in with "guns blazing" is precisely why there is an English Royal Family today. If not for our "habit", the Windsors would now be residing in Ontario and when I toured the UK, I would be visiting places like "Bismarck Palace" and the "Tower of West Munich".

Bill, Boston, MA (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 1:23 PM)

There is nothing to be proud of systematically hunting down an animal for human entertainment. I hope that for every hunter who sets their scope on a deer, there is another deer waiting in the shadows to kick that hunter to death. It's about time humans had natural predators, so that they know what it's like to be the hunted.

A proud vegetarian, Phoenix, AZ (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 1:24 PM)

I wonder if the lives of many of the people who just left disparaging comments could stand the light of day as much as the "royals" see. It is easy to criticize. Hunting is what was done long before many of them were born, Bessie the cow and Elmer the pig show up on their plates daily... they died...

M W Zephyr Melrose Park Il (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 1:24 PM)

In response to the "Brit" who complained about us "Yanks"....It appears that the article was penned by a gentleman at the London Bureau. Perhaps you would you like to withdraw your insults now??

Marsha, Minneapolis, Minnesota (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 1:29 PM)

Dear Ms Ridley, I would point out that they are NOT YOUR Royal family either! Canada is a SOVERIGN NATION in the Commonwealth. The British left 101 years ago and turned the country over to you.
As for the Royals and their guests hunting deer, I have absolutly no objections to that. In any case, the deer are either turned over to the kitchen or given to the needy. Deer will breed to the extent that they will eat themselves out of forage and starve if their numbers are not culled.

John F. Sukey (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 1:31 PM)

I'm sorry, I just had to laugh at Janet Ridley's post. She's accusing Americans of getting rid of the British Royal Family when the Canadians themselves were clamoring for more autonomy and are practically separate from the Crown except in name. Ridiculous. Madam, while I don't condone the actions of our unfortunate President, make sure to cover your own rear before attacking American citizens so nobody else can laugh at your display of ignorance.

Sandra K (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 1:33 PM)

Sheesh, Janet Ridley. Chill out! And f.y.i., they are not "our royal family" in Canada. We'd just as soon be rid of them as well.

Joyce Ball (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 1:34 PM)

In answer to Miss Janet C. Ridley - -

Because we can. Roma Victa.

Pete Kombrowski, New York, NY (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 1:37 PM)

This message is to Janet Ridley from CANADA not ENGLAND. They aren't YOUR Royal Family any more than they are any Americans. You have the right to your opion the same as any ones else does.

Don't put Americans down for caring about an American which Kate is. I say hooray to her for doing something with her boyfriend, regarless of Royalty or not.
Personally I'm sick of the American bashing going on when we're the ones sticking our necks and money out there.

Carla - Oregon (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 1:38 PM)

@Janet C. Ridley

What does "other sovereign nations' affairs" have anything to do with Prince William and his girlfriend?

Alex Stall, Kentucky, USA (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 1:40 PM)

I think it is great that she likes to hunt or is at least willing to give it a try... I am a woman who loves to hunt, and think it is great that other women are willing to give it a try...there is nothing wrong with it, so all of you who are saying that it is so horrible find something else to complain about... I always say, "whatever floats your boat"....just because you don't approve doesn't mean it's wrong and the whole world should just stop...get real

Katherine, Louisiana (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 1:46 PM)

Hey Kate, if you need shooting lessons, come on over to Montana. We will teach how to outshoot the guys...a skill that comes in handy later in any relationship. Men typically toe the line in a relationship where the woman is the better shot. As for shooting Bambi, who is a non-antlered male (illegal to shoot in most places), get over it. We all have to die at some point. Instead of worrying about the deer, why not worry about the child who has just been orphaned by a drunk driver? Keep your head up Kate...stay focused on the target, squeeze slowly, and don't hold your breath.

And to Janet Ridley of Canada...we didn't get rid of the royals...we left. Don't forget, the US and CANADA were penal colonies. Take a valium and read a few history books.

Susan M Craun, Florence, Montana (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 1:47 PM)

Sounds like my kind of girl! It is far better to be a hunter who understands the natural world, than to eat burgers and wear leather and look down on those that are.

R,Paul (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 1:47 PM)

Geez lighten up Ms. Ridley. We have as much right to be interested in British royalty as anyone else, in fact we like the rest of the world have watched these two men grow up into fine human beings who I am sure both of their parents are proud of. This has nothing to do with the war. Different subject and one in which I think you would find many of us Yanks would agree with you although with a lot less animosity

Julene Kiesling, Yorba Linda, CA (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 1:51 PM)

Although I am planning to leave for an Elk hunt this week, I don't approve of the "royal" hunts. Our hunt truly is to put food on the table and if we happen to catch a trophy, so be it. That is not our point though. I highly doubt that "Kate" is planning on putting food on the table or needs to be concerned with such. I do have an issue with exclusively "trophy" hunting.
Aside from that, let the kids be, if they plan to get married, whatever.
And as far as our so-called infatuation with royalty, Ms. Ridley, I do believe that you read the same article the rest of us did. Who is infatuated?

Christina, Evanston, Wyoming (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 1:52 PM)

Hooray for the girl! The Prince should hang on to that one! It's nice to see a young woman who understands hunting. Just last night I trudged through thick underbrush for nearly two hours looking for the buck my hubby shot (with a bow, I might add) so we can put more meat on the table. I would rather kill and eat an animal that has eaten corn and other natural local foods, rather than one who has been raised on antibiotic-laden foods, only to die in a slaughterhouse and end up at the local grocery store. The deer population in this state is huge and dangerous to motorists, especially this time of year, so I figure that every deer taken legally is one less that I will potentially have to avoid on the road late at night. This family only kills what it intends to eat. Tonya from Montana is right; God put the animals on earth to benefit mankind, and everything has it's place in God's great design.

Barb, Ortonville, Michigan (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 1:55 PM)

Dear Janet
"Why is it you Yankees are SO obsessed with OUR Royal family? Remember, you got rid of them!!" Now you can't blame all of us for a mistake done in the way past.
I would hope that not all Americans are labeled in this manner. I infact, love the Royal Family and thier rich history, its interesting.
I do love my country as I should but I dislike being labeled as a "common American".

Wierd I guess (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 1:56 PM)

Are people missing the point here? This chick stalked and took an innocent creature OUT for no reason except SPORT. Take up tennis, for godsakes. Diana is probably turning over in her grave....

Sharon Hughes, Ann Arbor, MI (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 2:00 PM)

Ms. Ridley, When did Canada become part of England??? The last time I was in Canada and around Canadians, I heard French, not English!!!

As far as hunting, ok if really being used to provide food for your family, but just for trophies, I don't think that should be permitted and if you want to really hunt, try using bow and arrow and not a semi-automatic with a scope!!!

Moe, Washington DC (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 2:03 PM)

D L V Thayer Co Ne (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 2:04 PM)

Good heavens. I am not a hunter, nor do I much care for it, but I understand the value of culling herds which would otherwise outstrip their habitat.

It has nothing to do with Kate Middleton or Prince William. It's merely that they are high-profile individuals whose every action is scrutinized.

The media has gone insane. No one famous is allowed any privacy. After the tragic death of Princess Diana, it seems no one has learned a thing.

Jo, Chicago, IL (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 2:16 PM)

I find two timeless classics here: the royal family, and hunting. Both have been around since...well, forever. Remeber guys, we Pilgrims took the act the hunting with us when we left England (any of you History majors?). Hunting is a timeless tradition! Don't criticize her for it! Kate's keeping it alive, as we all should. (Apologies to Bambi, perhaps he will live in in his two kids - end of the movie.)

Amy, Hereford, AZ (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 2:18 PM)

We either have to have wolves, or we have to have hunters. Lacking predators, deer and other grazers will multiply until they eat themselves out of house and home. Then they starve, or die of disease, leaving an overgrazed landscape which takes a long time to recover.
The trouble is that wolves eat the sick and weak, which improves the breed. Hunters shoot the best animals they can find, which does the opposite.

An Knudson, Bismarck, ND (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 2:19 PM)

Oh come on you all with the pretentious vegetarian comments. Plants are alive until havested and eaten. You have to kill to eat vegetarian. Every vegetarian should read "The Secret Life of Plants."

As for the topic at hand, I could care less. I have my own life to live so I have no comments about the royal goings on.

BBryant (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 2:20 PM)

GO Kate!!! I think Prince William has found a woman very similar to his mother and if they wed - I'm sure that the world will love your just as much as they did Dianna. To Janet Ridley - chill out - the whole world is interested in the Royal family - not just Americans.

H Wolfe - Port Orchard, WA (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 2:28 PM)

William is not next in line for the throne, Charles is, and owing to an act of Parliament, Camilla will not be Queen. All of which is an issue for those people for whom he will be King and head of State, not for those you in the USA. As to the hunting issue, if the animal is eaten, and I understand the Royal family do eat the game they hunt, unless you are a veggie or vegan I do not understand why you have a problem. I can't fire a gun, much less hunt, but getting your own food, as opposed to factory bred, plastic wrapped can not be faulted...exercise and less taxing on the planet's finite resources. Strange to get so much criticism from the home of the NRA.

As to a drain on their country's economy, actually the "Royals" are a huge tourist attraction, and judging by the the response to this artical even in those countries where Royalty has never been, or been removed by one means or another, they still attract an avid audience and sell papers, movies, magazines etc. In fact Hollywood has made a lot of money out of the stories of the Royals of Britian and Europe, there by creating jobs and boosting your economy. I think you should be more concerned about Dick Chenney et al ripping off the USA army by overcharging for gas etc.

As to the USA, if not inverted snobbery, why do so many of your "old money" families resort to self made titles, such as "John .... III/ or Robert ...II. Lets face it, if the targets of the gossip columnists are wealthy, preferably stylish and controversial, and you in the USA, as with many others, love them, home made or not!! And people such as them provide the gossip columnists with employment as proven by the responses to this article.

Denise Tynan (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 2:28 PM)

Why do you all care? What could you possibly add to this useless article? Can't you find anything better to do with your time? Go save some animals...or go kill some. Just don't argue about it with strangers here.

unimpressed (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 2:39 PM)

It's so great to see female hunters responding to this posting! It must touch a cord with us female hunters, because I also thought it was a great story (and photos) when I saw it on the news last night. I posted about it right away to my blog for outdoors women. It's wonderful to see a high-profile woman hunting and to see so many women speaking out in support of her! Keep it up ladies!

Wild WoodsWoman, Wisconsin, USA (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 2:41 PM)

My question is this, Who cares what they do over there, and who cares if they have a queen, or king or even a fuhrer? they have no need of us, nor we them. The question is whether they hunt or not, its really, who cares what those people are doing. They serve no purpose for the United States any more.
thanks for the time.

William Coble (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 2:46 PM)

Janet,
you are absolutely correct. That is why we need to get rid of Georgie boy! We need some respect back in the white house!

k. thomp, Dallas, Tx. (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 2:46 PM)

I think someone in Canada needs to study more of her history, do you know how silly you sound?
Sorry Janet I think you have been in a closet way to long to know what your talking about - the great John Wayne did make movies, but we all know he was not Daniel Boone, or Rooster Cogburn, and we don't run around with "gun's a blazing" - we watch the Royal family mainly for the good they do, I for one wish the paparazzi would lay off.

R U Joking, Las Vegas NV (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 2:47 PM)

Good Lord people! It is a necessity that animals be killed. It's called thinning the herd. Perhaps you would prefer the deer continue to multiply unchecked, overgraze, and then die a slow, painful death of starvation. I don't know and don't care if the young woman was successful in taking down a deer. If she did, I hope it was used for food. There are far more significant things going on in this world to get upset about.

Mary, Angleton, TX (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 2:47 PM)

Cheers to Barb from MI, I would much rather have the deer on the table than on the car.
As a spouse of a hunter, I understand the need for this for animal preservation. Without hunters the deer and other animals would get our domestic farm animals sick, then us. It's part of the circle of life.

Kellie, Fort Wayne, IN (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 2:49 PM)

Janet, Janet, Janet: Please spare us your jealousy and the typical Canadian inferiority complex -- one piece of advice: sign up for anger management classes.

Ana - West Hollywood, California (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 2:49 PM)

Lisa was right, killing animals for sport is no different than dog fighting. Killing animals with the "utmost respect" for recreation? If you really want a real hunt, join the military and volnteer for immediate Iraq duty. They pay you well enough you don't have to hunt for food.

bill, san diego, ca (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 2:50 PM)

WHO CARES????????????

John, Miami, Florida U.S.A. (Sent Tuesday, October 16, 2007 2:50 PM)

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Oh deer! Prince’s love may have the right stuff

Posted: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 11:29 AM
Filed Under: London, England

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Oh deer! Prince’s love may have the right stuff

Posted: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 11:29 AM Filed Under: London, England

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Posted: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 11:29 AM
Filed Under: London, England