Katherine Jenkins booed by animal rights campaigners as she opens Harrods sale
Anti-fur protesters screamed "shame on Katherine" as the Neath-born mezzo soprano arrived at the historic Knightsbridge store by horse-drawn carriage.
But the shouts were soon drowned out as shoppers – who had been waiting since midnight – fought their way in.
With up to 50 per cent off brands including Gucci, Prada and Jimmy Choo, hundreds of women were seen rushing up the escalators to the handbags and shoes department.
Katherine was presented with a pair of diamond encrusted Christian Louboutin shoes during her tour.
The vegetarian star said she tried not to let the animal rights campaigners "dampen everyone's fun".
Flanked by her mother Susan, who joined her on the tour, she said: "I was very excited to join the sales – I am a girl's girl, so obviously this is my idea of fun.
"Personally I do not eat meat or wear fur, but people are entitled to their opinions."
Katherine reportedly stepped in after chart-topping singer Leona Lewis refused a lucrative invite to open the sales because of Harrods' policy to sell fur.
Campaigner John Wilson, from the Coalition to Abolish Fur Trade, said: "We are gathered here today because of our disgust at Ms Jenkins who professes to be against animal cruelty and the fur trade.
"We understand that Harrods is now the only major store in the UK to sell imported fur."
Followed by a group of bagpipe players, Katherine and Harrods chairman Mohamed al-Fayed visited the shop's stationery, pets and musical instruments department.
She was then pictured reserving two Jasmine di Milo dresses – one in grey and one in black.
After playing on a grand piano during the tour, Katherine finished her viewing by meeting two Westie-Poodle cross-bred puppies in the pets department before moving on to the Georgian restaurant for a luxury breakfast.
She said: "Now I've got my eyes on the handbags and shoes.
"I'm looking forward to carrying on looking around with my mum."
She added that she planned to spend the New Year at home with her family in Neath, before leaving for a concert in Korea next month.
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