Whale meat is illegal to purchase and eat in the U.K. Pippa Middleton, a U.K. citizen, did not break the law for she consumed her whale meat meal in Norway. However, given that the U.K. is a supporter of international bans on whaling and the protection of the whales is an emotive subject with many people, the act has stirred emotions and led to criticism from environmental groups.
Philippa (“Pippa”) Middleton is younger sister of Catherine (“Kate”), Duchess of Cambridge. She is a fashion designer, occasional writer, and well-known socialite around the more salubrious parts of London.
Middleton “writes” a column for The Daily Telegraph on a regular basis. It was in her latest work of insightful journalism that she discussed her whale-based meal. Here she feasted on whale carpaccio which she describes as “similar to smoked salmon but looks more like venison carpaccio.” Carpaccio is a dish of raw meat or fish, thinly sliced or pounded thin and served mainly as an appetizer.
The column has been taken down, although The Daily Mail, among other media outlets, liberally quotes from it.
The meal took place when she was on a Scandinavian fishing and skiing trip. The meal took place at the Juvet Landscape Hotel in Valldal and, according to Middleton, the meal was especially prepared for her by the hotel owner.
The meal has kicked off a media storm. According to The Daily Mirror, a spokesperson for the Norwegian animal rights group NOAH, Siri Martinsen, is quoted as saying: “Being a well-known celebrity, she has special responsibility to make sure she doesn’t support animal cruelty, so it’s a bit sad that she hasn’t taken the animal welfare consequences into consideration.”
Within the U.K., Whale and Dolphin Conservation group campaigner, Vanessa Williams-Grey told The Daily Express: “Commercial whale hunting is banned, the UK Government backs the ban and for good reason. Killing whales is cruel, there is no humane way to kill them and many are slaughtered using brutal harpoon grenades.”
Adding fuel to the fire, Elisa Allen, associate director of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals U.K., told E-online: “Does she think or read? What’s next, a panda steak or an elephant canapé?” Allen continued. “These whales are harpooned and bled to death before they’re gutted.”
In terms of the status of whaling, there has been an international ban on whaling in force since 1986. This ban is enforced by the International Whaling Commission. However, three pro-whaling countries: Norway, Iceland and Japan, have not signed up and do not consider themselves bound by it.
The actual species of whale has not been named, although minke whale is the most likely given that the meal was prepared in Norway. The minke whale is a black/gray/purple color.