Princess Kate has reportedly ensured that her children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—will not participate in a long-standing but controversial royal custom.

Prince William and Prince Harry both took part in the tradition when they were younger, following in the footsteps of previous generations. However, it appears that Kate and the modern royals are eager to move away from this practice in the 21st century.

What is the Royal Hunting Tradition?

The ritual in question is a hunting tradition that follows a young royal’s first successful kill, typically a fox or stag. Afterward, the animal’s blood is smeared on their face as part of the custom.

King Charles, as well as Princes William and Harry, experienced this rite of passage. In his 2023 memoir Spare, Harry shared his own account of the tradition, detailing the moment he participated at age 15 while hunting on the grounds of Balmoral.

Prince Harry on His Experience with the Ritual

Harry recalled how his hunting guide, Sandy, performed the ritual after he shot a stag. According to Harry, Sandy cut the animal open and then pushed his head inside the carcass.

“He placed a hand gently behind my neck, and… pushed my head inside the carcass,” he wrote.

“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,” he continued.

“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,” he added.