This summer, Prince George is set to join his father, Prince William, at the Balmoral estate, where he may be introduced to a rather grim royal tradition.
According to royal author Duncan Larcombe, the 11-year-old prince could participate in a stag hunt, a custom steeped in history within the royal family.
The prospect of this experience has raised eyebrows, especially with hints of a more macabre ritual that often accompanies such hunts.
In an article for Woman magazine, Larcombe suggested that during their visit to Balmoral, Prince George might not only partake in hunting but could also encounter an antiquated practice involving the blood of the hunted animal.
While the palace has remained tight-lipped about these rumors, the anticipation surrounding George’s potential initiation into this gruesome custom has sparked considerable interest.
The tradition in question involves a ceremonial act where the blood from a hunter’s first kill is smeared on their face.
This ritual has deep roots in royal history and has been practiced for generations.
Larcombe noted that while Kate Middleton has participated in royal shoots in the past, it remains uncertain if George will be expected to follow in her footsteps.
The royal family’s connection to hunting is far from new.
In his biography, “Spare,” Prince Harry recounted a shocking incident during which he had his head pushed into a deer carcass after making a kill.
He described how his nanny, Teggy Leibork, smeared rabbit blood across his forehead, a moment that highlights the sometimes grisly nature of these traditions.
Hunting has long been a favored pastime among royals, with the late Queen Elizabeth herself enjoying deer pursuits.
In fact, she famously went on tiger hunts with Prince Philip in India during the 1960s, showcasing the family’s longstanding affinity for such activities.
Additionally, a controversial photograph from 2004 emerged showing Prince Harry beside a dead water buffalo, further emphasizing the royal family’s hunting legacy.
Rumors have also circulated regarding Prince William and Prince Harry’s hunting expeditions in Spain in 2014, where they reportedly engaged in stag and wild boar hunting.
Such accounts paint a vivid picture of the royal family’s enduring relationship with hunting, often viewed as both a sport and a tradition.
King Charles has also been vocal about the royal family’s hunting practices.
In a 2002 article, he attempted to persuade then-Prime Minister Tony Blair against banning fox hunting, arguing that it reflects humanity’s ancient bond with dogs and horses.
This perspective underscores the complex views surrounding hunting within the royal household.
