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In the early part of 2013, outrage was sparked by reports that Tesco and other British grocery stores were selling hamburger patties with was 29 per cent made of horsemeat. Over the weekend, a similar public uproar was recorded over the suggestion of Princess Anne of Britain for the country to consider eating horsemeat.

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In Twitter, Christ Thomas wrote: "Princess Anne has lost her mind? She says: Britain should consider eating horsemeat."

And in a mimic of French royal Marie Antoniette, The Raw Story tweeted, "Britain's Princess Anne says 'let them eat horsemeat.'"

Her justification was that by raising horse for its meat, similar to cows, pigs, sheep and fowl, it would result in better standards of care for the animal raised for gaming.

The princess, president of the World Horse Welfare, said at the yearly meeting of the World Horse Welfare Organisation, quoted by The Telegraph, "Our attitudes to the horsemeat trade may have to change" since those in the trade "value their horses and look after them well."

"As I was reminded not so long ago by someone who travelled in France, the most expensive piece of meat in the local butcher's was a fillet of horse meat. We have to face that," Princess Anne pointed out.

By doing so, the next step is to consider a real market for horsemeat, which would help cut the number of welfare cases in the country.

However, she acknowledged the proposal needs a debate.

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