Prince George could be forced to partake in ‘gruesome’ centuries-old royal tradition over the summer

Prince George may take part in a centuries-old royal ritual this summer, described by some as 'gruesome’.

The royal family is bound by a long list of traditions, many of which date back centuries. As the eldest child of Prince William and Princess Kate, 11-year-old George could be expected to take part in a custom that may raise eyebrows.

George is expected to travel with his family to the Balmoral Estate in Scotland this summer, according to royal author Duncan Larcombe per the Express. The youngster would be the latest royal to take part.

Duncan revealed in his 2017 book Prince Harry: The Inside Story that George could take part in a stag hunt along with his family members. And that’s not all, as the author also suggested that the young prince may also be expected to take part in a ‘ritual’ associated with the hunt.

11-year-old George is the eldest child of William and Kate (Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

“The palace has refused to comment on claims that Prince George will be initiated into one of the slightly more gruesome royal traditions this summer,” Duncan wrote.

“It was reported that he will join his father on a stag-hunting shoot while they visit the Balmoral Estate this month. Traditionally, the blood of a hunter’s first kill is spread on their face, a ritual that goes back centuries.”

He added: “Years ago, Kate joined the royals on a shoot, but it’s unclear whether George will be expected to follow suit.”

However, in 2023, it was reported that the royals can now no longer go hunting, deer stalking or fishing at the Abergeldie Estate, which is adjacent to the Balmoral Estate in Scotland.

Prince Harry has previously shared a shocking hunting story, as he explained in his memoir Spare that he shot a deer on the Balmoral Estate. He also killed a rabbit, and the blood from that animal was ‘smeared’ across his forehand and down his cheeks and nose ‘tenderly’ by his nanny, Tiggy Legge-Bourke.

The Duke of Sussex also recalled the gruesome experience of the time his hunting guide Sandy bled a stag from its neck at Balmoral.

“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.

A stag hunt was depicted in an episode of The Crown (Netflix)

“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 Royal Family has a long history with hunting which dates back centuries, however it has been the subject of criticism in more recent years by wildlife activists. When calling out the family's 'obsession with slaughter', Protect the Wild said: "If the King and his family truly cared about conservation, they would show this by taking concrete steps to end shooting and hunting on their estates, and – like a number of Scottish land owners – begin to rewild their land. Their actions would likely create a trickle-down effect across the country,"

It is also claimed that Kate had forbidden her three children from taking part in the royal tradition called ‘blooding’, in which the blood from the first kill - usually a fox or stag - is smeared on the hunter’s face.

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.

An excerpt was obtained by Femail, and author Tom Quinn 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.