9 DECEMBER 1972, Page 27

Hunting the hunter

Sir: The writer of your 'Hunting the hunter' paragraph (Notebook, November 25) seems to be quite at sea as to why there have been so many protests against Princess Anne going fox hunting.

The reason is that it has long been a rule that the Royal Family abstains from expressing opinions on controversial subjects — such as politics.

Hunting animals to death for pleasure involves major cruelty and is absolutely useless. It is therefore far more controversial than the relative merits of Mr Heath and Mr Wilson, so it is hardly surprising that some of us are making a row about it.

M. C. C. Chapman 6 Bainton Road, Oxford