The Royal Family are known for their many Christmas traditions, some of which are classic and others unique to them. From attending a church service like many across the UK, to opening presents on Christmas Eve in honour of their German heritage, the royals’ day is enjoyed by all.

However, every year, one tradition that typically takes place on Boxing Day draws significant criticism. Like many royals before them, hunting has always been a favourite pastime – whether they’re shooting stags, grouses or pheasants. Despite its historical significance, there was backlash when it emerged that Prince George, 10, had joined his family to watch the hunt at just five years old. Hunting has been the chosen sport of the royals for centuries, but it’s uncertain whether the tradition will continue this year.

There’s another annual shoot that happens in the summer called Balmoral’s Glorious Twelfth, where the royals roam the Balmoral Estate in Scotland hunting young grouse. While it’s unclear if family members participated in the annual season which starts on August 12 each year, the royals have enjoyed deerstalking on the estate for generations.

The hunt serves as a culling act for elderly stags likely to die during winter months, and as a way of controlling numbers. William shot his first stag at 14 years old, a feat he was “delighted at the time”, reports OK!.

Deerstalking is a beloved pastime for many members of the Royal Family, passed down through generations. King Charles, father to Prince William, was so fond of the sport that Princess Diana would affectionately refer to him as “my killer Wales”.

Prince William is Patron of Tusk ( 
Image:
Getty)
However, when it came to light that Prince George had attended a hunt at just five years old, animal charities expressed their concern. PETA director Mimi Bekhechi voiced her disapproval in 2020, 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.”

The Prince of Wales has also faced criticism for his hunting activities, despite being a prominent advocate for animal conservation.

In 2014, Princes William and Harry were criticised for participating in a boar hunting trip on the Duke of Westminster’s Spanish estate, just days before they joined a campaign against poaching and illegal wildlife trade.

Prince William, 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 like rhinos, tigers and elephants.