Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton has been urged by PETA to stop her husband Prince William injuring wildlife.

The president of PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has reportedly sent a heartfelt letter to Kate after it was stated William purchased 250 birds for a shoot out at Queen Elizabeth’s Sandringham Estate, as a birthday present for his younger brother Prince Harry.

Ingrid Newkirk wrote: “We understand that Prince William has given a gift of ‘game birds’ to Prince Harry for his birthday. There is no honour in buying birds and reducing them, as if they were clay pigeons, to shooting targets. Those who aren’t killed outright are often dispatched by having their necks wrung, which does not cause an instant or painless death.

“May I ask you to use your influence on the princes and ask them to reconsider this gift? You are in a unique position to be able to wield considerable influence over whether people everywhere view animals and their place in our world with kindness or blithely ignore their suffering.”

She then went on to ask Kate to encourage William and Harry to cancel their shooting day in favour of something more compassionate and recognise cruelty against animals, and not to encourage this sickening sport.

According to FOX news, she continued: “Please ask the princes to open their hearts to the suffering of birds casually used as skeet and make the compassionate decision not to kill for fun. By cancelling the planned ‘day’s sport’ in favour of a more enlightened, fitting and humane pursuit, they will win hearts and commendations and spare hundreds of birds a terrifying end, making it clear that the monarchy is in tune with the social movement against cruelty to animals.”

It is currently unknown if the shooting day went ahead for Prince Harry’s birthday.