Topics: Royal Family, Prince Harry, Prince George, Kate Middleton
Prince Harry described in unsettling detail the moment he participated in a royal tradition which Prince George may soon experience himself according to reports.
The royal family observes countless rituals, yet this particular one continues to spark curiosity and discussion.
In his 2023 memoir Spare, the Duke of Sussex recalled his experience ‘blooding’ with a guide named Sandy. The tradition goes back centuries and involves killing an animal and the face of the hunter being smeared with the blood of the first animal they kill.
For Prince Harry, however, his head was pushed inside the still-warm carcass of the first stag he killed at Balmoral when he was around 15.
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“He placed a hand gently behind my neck, and… pushed my head inside the carcass,” Harry wrote in his book.
“I tried to pull away, but Sandy pushed me deeper.
"I was shocked by his insane strength. And by the infernal smell. My breakfast jumped up from my stomach.
“After a minute I couldn’t smell anything, because I couldn’t breathe. My nose and mouth were full of blood, guts and a deep, upsetting warmth.”
The prince added: “Well, I thought, so this is death. The ultimate blooding. Not what I'd imagined. I went limp. Bye, all. Sandy pulled me out. I felled my lungs with fresh morning air. I started to wipe my face, which was dripping, but Sandy grabbed my hand."
Sandy then told Harry: "Nae, lad, nae. Let it dry, lad! Let it dry."
Harry later said he felt ‘swelling pride’ later. He also revealed that his first ‘blooding’ was done by his nanny, Tiggy Legge-Bourke. She had dipped her fingers in rabbit blood and smeared it ‘tenderly’ down his face.
The Royal Family has a long history with hunting which dates back centuries, but it has been the subject of criticism in more recent years by wildlife activists.
In February it was reported in a book called Yes Ma’am - The Secret Life of Royal Servants that the Princess of Wales was adamant that Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis do not take part. There are more recent reports suggesting that William and Kate's eldest child could take part in the ritual as soon as this summer.
An excerpt of the book by Tom Quinn was obtained by Femail, in which the author explained: “Charles’s daughter in-law, Catherine, Princess of Wales, has put her foot down and insisted there will be no blooding for her children.”
King Charles as well as his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, all completed the tradition.
Tyla has contacted Buckingham Palace for comment.
