London, April 18 (IANS): Duchess of Cambridge's sister Pippa Middleton has been criticised by animal rights groups for eating whale meat.

"Pippa is not known for common sense or compassion, but it still beggars belief that anyone, let alone someone from a country like ours, where whale meat has long been banned, could be oblivious to the uproar over Norway's slaughter of these gentle giants," Elisa Allen, associate director of animal rights organisation People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), said in a statement on Thursday.

The statement further read: "Does (Pippa) think or read? What's next, a panda steak or elephant canape? These whales are harpooned and bled to death before they're gutted. If Pippa is looking for culinary experience, some of the best high-end vegan food -- recently named by Forbes magazine as a top food trend can be found in Norway, and it's good for the heart, an organ Pippa seems to lack."

Another animal rights group, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, expressed their disappointment over Pippa's action, writing on their website: "This is really disappointing news, particularly as Pippa is so high-profile, and given how active her brother-in-law, William, is on speaking out against poaching and wildlife crime. Commercial whale hunting is banned, the UK government backs the ban and for good reason."

The younger sister of Kate Middleton wrote in a recent column for Daily Telegraph about the moment when she ate smoked, uncooked whale carpaccio during a trip to Norway. She claimed the whale meat tasted "similar to smoked salmon but looks more like venison carpaccio."