Queen Elizabeth: does the monarch have to worry about her safety?

Queen Elizabeth
Will bears and wolves be released to the wild on your lands soon?

© Dana Press

Queen Elizabeth and her family are the UK’s largest landowners. The naturalist Christopher Packham calls on the royals to renaturate their properties for animals. The House of Lords of the British Parliament sees dangers here, however.

323,748 hectares of land – this is the exorbitant size of the land owned by the British royal family. Queen Elizabeth, 95, and her family members now own 1.4 percent of the UK. Landscapes that, according to naturalist and environmentalist Christopher Packham, 60, should be used differently – as overgrown areas for bears and wolves.

Now the politician Jonathan Marland, 65, has spoken in the British Parliament about Packham’s request.

Queen Elizabeth: British Parliament is “appalled” by restoration plans

The conservative MP’s biggest criticism is the monarch’s safety. The naturalist’s plan was not well thought out and would involve many loopholes and risks. “Imagine walking out of Balmoral with your corgis and being confronted by a bear and a wolf,” said Marland, generalizing the delicate situation that Queen Elizabeth in particular would have to be prepared for.

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Marland and other MPs are concerned that Packham, as a member of the new nature and environmental protection committee, would bring more questionable proposals that put the Queen’s safety at risk. The new committee, which Christopher Packham will attend, will look over the shoulders of politicians in the future when it comes to new measures so that the needs of animal welfare are taken into account. “Most of us are afraid of the likes of Chris Packham,” said Jonathan Marland, dramatizing the effects of Packham’s request.

The royals could serve as a role model

The environmentalist and television presenter made his request clear in October 2021 by handing over a petition to renaturate the royal lands at the gates of Buckingham Palace. A total of 100,000 people had signed the petition. It is an important sign that the Queen would take action to set a good example in the climate crisis.

Environmental and animal rights activist Chris Packham at the gates of Buckingham Palace

Environmental and animal rights activist Chris Packham at the gates of Buckingham Palace

© ADRIAN DENNIS / Getty Images

Prince William, 39, and his father Prince Charles, 73, are both nature conservation advocates and have campaigned for environmental conservation for decades. At the Earthshot Prize initiated by William, the Queen’s grandson made it clear how urgent major changes are. “The actions we choose or not choose will determine the fate of our planet,” said William at the gala in London.

As absurd as Packham’s proposal may sound to members of the House of Lords, could it still be possible for the royal family to give in? Possibly not to the full extent, so that the Queen could suddenly stand in front of a bear on one of her walks. But perhaps within the framework of the imaginable. With 323,748 hectares of land, it’s not that far-fetched …

Sources used: theguardian.com, mirror.co.uk

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