Prince William has been urged by some activists to keep George away from hunting (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The partakes in a variety of traditions, some common and others unique to them. These range from attending church services like many across the UK, to opening presents on Christmas Eve as a nod to their German heritage.
However, one tradition that takes place on Boxing Day often draws criticism – hunting. The have long enjoyed hunting stags, grouses, and pheasants and it is pastime of historic significance for them.
There was outcry in some circles when , now aged 11 but then five-years-old, joined his family to watch the hunt. Hunting has been a Royal sport for centuries, but it remains uncertain whether this year’s tradition will proceed.
Another annual shoot, Balmoral’s Glorious Twelfth, occurs in the summer. This event sees the royals traverse the Balmoral Estate in Scotland to hunt young grouse.
The Royal Family have enjoyed hunting for generations (Image: Getty)
While it’s unclear if family members participated in this year’s season, which begins each year on August 12, deerstalking has been a favourite pastime for generations.
The hunt serves as a means to cull elderly stags likely to perish in the winter, thereby controlling population numbers, reports
William shot his first stag at age 14, a feat he was “delighted at the time”.
Deerstalking is a time-honoured pursuit among the Royals, with ‘s father, King Charles, being so fond of the sport that Princess Diana famously nicknamed him “my killer Wales”.
Prince George pictured in 2017 (Image: Getty)
However, eyebrows were raised by animal rights groups when it was revealed that Prince George participated in a hunt at just five-years-old.
PETA director Mimi Bekhechi slammed the decision, stating: “For a child to be compelled to witness such casual killing – and by a parent he looks up to, no less – is potentially as harmful to his or her psyche as it is to the bird’s very life.”
She added: “It can desensitise children to the suffering of animals – which is cause for concern, given the well-established link between cruelty to animals in childhood and antisocial behaviour in adulthood – and could give George nightmares.
“To help him grow into a responsible, compassionate leader, his parents must teach him respect for all living beings.” She claims few people now view shooting as “anything other than a violent perversion”
Prince William is Patron of Tusk (Image: Getty)
The Prince of Wales has also faced scrutiny for hunting despite being an outspoken advocate for animal conservation.
In 2014, both and came under fire for embarking on a boar hunting trip in Spain shortly before campaigning against poaching and illegal wildlife trade.
, who is also the patron of Tusk, an African conservation initiative, has been lauded for his United For Wildlife campaign which aims to protect endangered species such as rhinos, tigers and elephants.