Princess Kate Draws A Firm Line On Royal Hunting Tradition For Prince George, Princess Charlotte And Prince Louis

Princess Kate is reportedly refusing to let one long-standing royal hunting tradition become part of her children’s upbringing, drawing a clear boundary around what Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis will be expected to follow.

According to Tom Quinn’s royal book Yes, Ma’am: The Secret Life of Royal Servants, the Princess of Wales has firmly opposed a practice known as “blooding” — a tradition in which a young royal’s face is smeared with the blood of their first kill.

It is a striking departure from royal custom, particularly given that Prince William was introduced to the practice when he was young.

The Royal Tradition Kate Is Reportedly Refusing To Continue

Quinn’s book describes Catherine’s position in unmistakable terms.

“Charles’s daughter-in-law, Catherine, Princess of Wales, has put her foot down and insisted there will be no blooding for her children.”

The decision sets her apart from a tradition that has featured in the upbringing of other members of the Royal Family. Prince Harry also described his own experience with blooding in his memoir, Spare, recalling an incident when he was 15.

Harry said he was taken out by a hunting guide named Sandy after a deer had been shot. What followed left a lasting impression.

Prince Harry Recalled A Disturbing Encounter

According to Harry’s account, Sandy pushed his head into the animal’s carcass, taking the ritual further than he expected.

“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,” Harry wrote, as quoted by HELLO!.

Yet his recollection was not entirely negative. Harry also explained how he came to understand the practical reasoning behind deer management and hunting at Balmoral.

“Managing their numbers meant saving the deer population as a whole, ensuring they’d have enough food for winter,” he wrote.

He went on to describe the importance of providing meat for the local community, explaining that a large stag in the larder meant there would be plenty to eat for those living around Balmoral.

“These virtues had been preached to me from an early age, but now I’d lived them, and felt them on my face. I wasn’t religious, but this ‘blood facial’ was, to me, baptismal.”

His account offers a glimpse into how the same royal tradition can be understood as both a difficult personal experience and a practice tied to the customs of the estate.

Kate And William Want Their Children To Have A Normal Upbringing

The reported decision comes as William and Catherine continue to raise their three children while balancing royal expectations with the realities of family life.

Earlier this week, Catherine spoke about her excitement at having Prince George back home after his first term at Eton College, where he began studying in September.

During a visit to The Treehouse Children’s Hospice, she spoke with Denise Ashton, 68, who was sitting with two friends when the princess stopped to chat.

Denise recalled Catherine saying she was “looking forward” to George coming home.

“She said she’s looking forward to George coming home – she’s missed him,” Denise said.

She also suggested the family might have plans during the school break, adding: “They may be going somewhere.”

Prince George Follows In His Father’s Footsteps

George’s move to Eton marks another significant step in his education. The young prince is following in the footsteps of both his father, Prince William, and his uncle, Prince Harry, who also attended the prestigious school.

Meanwhile, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis remain pupils at Lambrook School. The younger children are now enjoying half-term alongside their parents and older brother.

While royal traditions continue to shape the family’s public life, Catherine’s reported stance on blooding highlights a clear distinction between preserving royal customs and deciding which practices her own children will experience.

For the Princess of Wales, some traditions may simply stop with the next generation.