Grim Royal Rite of Passage: Prince George Set for 'Initiation' Into 'Gruesome' Hunting Practices on Balmoral Castle Estate

Prince George, 11, could be set to join his father, Prince William, 42, in an ancient hunting ritual at Balmoral Castle this summer that is best described as "gruesome."

"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," royal author Duncan Larcombe shared.

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

Hunting has long been a popular pastime in the 1,200 years of the British monarchy, but for the reigning House of Windsor, the controversial practice stretches all the way to the present royals. While her predecessors, like her grandfather King George V and her uncle King Edward VIII (then Prince of Wales), participated in tiger hunting during their visits to India in the early 20th century, the late Queen Elizabeth II's involvement with wildlife was different.

As grandsons of Elizabeth II, Princes William and Harry have been brought up in these traditions as well. They have both participated in shoots and hunts from a young age, continuing the family's engagement with these activities, although Harry has reportedly distanced himself from such practices in recent years.

Larcombe continued: "Years ago, Kate joined the royals on a shoot, but it's unclear whether George will be expected to follow suit."

The tradition of British royals smearing blood from animals on their faces, particularly after a successful hunt, is part of a broader tradition known as "blooding." This practice has roots in ancient hunting rituals, where hunters would mark themselves with the blood of their first kill as a rite of passage or as a way to honor the animal.

This custom has been practiced for centuries in the British monarchy, likely dating back to medieval times when hunting was not only a necessity but also a popular sport among the nobility.

Stag hunting has long been a popular association with the royal family while at Balmoral every year. The practice was depicted in Peter Morgan's 2006 film The Queen where Helen Mirren as Elizabeth II thought of the late Diana, Princess of Wales as a stag trying to escape the media symbolized as the hunters.

He continued this trend in his Netflix series The Crown, in which a young Diana, played by Emma Corrin, assisted Prince Philip (Tobias Menzies) during a hunt at the estate in 1980.

The Wales family is expected to spend several weeks at Balmoral this summer and into the early autumn at the invite of King Charles III.

Daily Mirror reported on Prince George's rite of passage.