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As the summer approaches, the British Royal Family prepares to gather at their beloved Balmoral Estate in the Scottish Highlands. This historic residence, a favorite of the late Queen Elizabeth II, holds deep traditions that have been passed down through generations of royals. And it seems the next chapter of this legacy may soon be written, as reports suggest that young Prince George may be initiated into a centuries-old - and rather macabre - royal ritual.
According to royal author Duncan Lham, the 11-year-old Prince George is set to accompany his father, Prince William, on a stag hunt at Balmoral this summer. This long-standing activity has been a cherished pastime among the royals for decades, with even the late Queen herself finding solace in the pursuit of deer during her visits to the estate.
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However, the Balmoral hunt carries with it an even more ancient and eerie tradition. Lham hinted that George may be expected to partake in a ritual where the blood of the hunter's first kill is smeared upon their face - a practice with roots stretching back centuries.
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While the Palace has remained tight-lipped on the specifics, it seems the young prince may soon be immersed in the more visceral aspects of the royal hunting heritage. This would not be the first time a young royal has been introduced to such practices. Prince Harry, in his memoir "Spare," recounted an incident following a successful deer hunt where his head was "forcefully thrust into a deer carcass," with his beloved nanny, Tiggy Legge-Bourke, delicately adorning his face with the rabbit's "crimson essence."
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The art of hunting runs deep within the veins of the Royal Family. Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh, was known for his daring tiger hunts in the enchanting lands of India during the 1960s. And in more recent years, Princes William and Harry have been spotted engaging in exhilarating escapades of wild boar and majestic stag hunting in the captivating landscapes of Spain.
But the royal fascination with hunting is not limited to the male members of the family. In 2002, it was revealed that King Charles (then the Prince of Wales) had fervently attempted to sway then-Prime Minister Tony Blair from outlawing the timeless tradition of fox hunting. Charles eloquently described the practice as "natural," thriving upon the "ancient and indeed romantic bond between man, dogs, and horses."
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The royal family's participation in cherished hunting customs extends beyond the Balmoral Estate. During the joyous Christmas season, the family gathers at Sandringham for the traditional pheasant shoot. And in the enchanting landscapes of the Glorious Twelfth, the royals can be found partaking in the exhilarating grouse shooting.
But the introduction of young Prince George to these hunting traditions raises questions about the evolving sensibilities of the modern era. As society grapples with the ethical implications of blood sports, the royal family's steadfast adherence to these long-standing practices may face increasing scrutiny.
Yet, for the royals, these hunting rituals hold a deeper significance, serving as a connection to their ancestral past and the natural world. The blood-smearing ceremony, in particular, is said to symbolize the hunter's respect for the animals they pursue and the sustenance they provide.
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Whether Prince George will be expected to follow in his father and uncle's footsteps remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the young prince's potential initiation into the Balmoral hunt will undoubtedly spark further discussion about the role of these ancient traditions in the modern Royal Family.
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As the world watches, the next chapter of the royal hunting legacy is about to unfold. Will Prince George embrace the customs of his forebears, or will a new generation of royals forge a different path? Only time will tell as the young prince navigates the enchanting - and at times, unsettling - world of the Balmoral Hunt.
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