Chris Packham vowed to clash with Royal Family over hunting: ‘Nobody gets off the hook’

Chris returns to screens tonight on BBC Two’s Autumnwatch at 8pm. In tonight’s episode Chris and Michaela Strachan search for signs of the beaver kit born at Wild Ken Hill, while there’s also a woodland symphony composed using the sounds of wild fungi. Gillian Burke discusses the importance of mud while Megan McCubbin is in Scotland to take a close look at Hedgehogs on the island of Mull. 

The series’ second instalment also brings a Mindful Moment from the beautiful vistas of Cumbria. 

Chris, who has been presenting Springwatch and it’s various spin-offs since 2009, is a keen conservationist.

Beyond his work hosting nature documentaries he is also vice-President of the RSPB and the RSPCA.

When the BBC presenter was named on the Queen’s New Years Honours list for services to nature conservation, he vowed to challenge the Royal Family on hunting.

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Chris told Radio Times in January 2019: “There will be lots of cheeky little words, I assure you.

“Nobody ever gets off the hook around me. 

“You don’t get many opportunities in life, and sometimes people are a little bit shy, but if I meet someone of influence I will use that opportunity. 

“I don’t care if it’s clumsy, I don’t care if it can be deemed inappropriate. 

Chris said he “took some advice” before accepting the CBE, but did so as was in recognition of his conservation work, rather than his broadcasting career.

The presenter also praised the Firm for their commitment to raising awareness of mental health problems. 

He said: “One of the positives about the Royal Family is that they have been talking openly and honestly about their mental health issues, such as Prince William and Prince Harry dealing with their mother’s tragic death.

“That’s the sort of bravery that I’m talking about, having the courage to come out and talk about things that will change us. 

“So I’m very flattered by the offer of a CBE and I hope to use it to open more doors and have more conversations.”

Earlier this month, Chris put pressure on the Royal Family to rewild its estates before the COP26 climate summit, which takes place next week.

The TV naturalist led around 100 school children on a march to Buckingham Palace to deliver a petition with more than 100,000 signatures, asking the Queen to rewild royal lands.

Speaking outside the Palace, Chris said: “We’re asking our Royal Family, denizens of the property behind us, to rewild the 800,000 acres of land they have in the UK.

“If they were to do so it would be a very powerful message that would resonate with people all over the world.”

Watch Autumnwatch on BBC Two at 8pm.