Prince George ‘will be taught the royal family tradition of fly fishing on Cambridge’s summer trip to Balmoral’
PRINCE George will “learn how to fly fish at Balmoral” when the Cambridges visit over the summer, it has been claimed.
The young royal, seven, will follow in his dad Prince William’s footsteps in learning the sport.
A source close to the Cambridge family told Fabulous: “William and Kate are keen that George might be able to start practising fishing on the banks of the River Dee, next to Balmoral, where an abundance of trout and occasional salmon are caught.
“George will be shown and try a few small rods, whilst a Balmoral ghillie in waders will be on hand but safe distancing from the Cambridge parents.”
A ghillie is a Scottish term referring to a man or boy who attends someone on a hunting or fishing expedition.
The source added: “The Queen Mother was a passionate and skilled Scottish fly fisher and encouraged Prince Charles throughout his Balmoral Deeside vacations.
"’Come rain or shine, waders on’ was her motto.
“Prince Charles subsequently taught both William and Harry to fly fish, and their nanny and confidante Tiggy Legge Bourke is one of the most experienced fly fishers in the UK.
“She will certainly welcome the chance to get both George and Charlotte skilled in the aquatic art by her riverside Welsh home.
“Tiggy is also a godmother to Meghan and Harry’s son, Archie, who may come to fly fish later in life.”
Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex's son James, Viscount Severn, 12, is said to be a "young but talented fly fisherman".
THE QUEEN'S ANNUAL BALMORAL HOLIDAY
Balmoral Castle has been a Royal residence since 1852.
The estate and its original castle were purchased privately by Prince Albert, consort to Queen Victoria, and to this day remain the private property of the Royal Family.
The castle is classified by Historic Scotland as a category A listed building, and costs around £3 million annually to run.
Every summer, the Monarch returns to the Balmoral estate with her husband Prince Philip.
Throughout the summer, much of the royal family - including Charles, Camilla, William, and Kate - will join her and Prince Philip for their annual “summer break.”
The Royal residence has often been described as “the most beautiful place on Earth” and is often referred to as the Queen’s favourite home.
The Queen is often seen riding horses or driving her beloved Range Rover over the estate’s rugged terrain.
The castle gardens were first opened to the public in 1931.
They now typically open daily between April and the end of July, after which Queen Elizabeth arrives for her annual stay.
Every year, the Queen heads up to her home in the Scottish highlands to enjoy some time away from the spotlight and invites members of the Royal Family to join her and Prince Philip over the course of the break.
She wrote: “Prince Charles will be on engagements in the south west of the country on George’s birthday, but is looking forward to spending time with all his grandchildren when the Cambridges head to Scotland for a family holiday next month.”
The Queen has already been pictured at Balmoral, after heading to Aberdeenshire in early august with Prince Phillip.
Her Majesty, 94, headed out for the brisk walk with Sophie Wessex, Edward and their children, Lady Windsor, 16, and James, Viscount Severn.
The Queen and Duke, 99, self-isolated at Windsor Castle, meanwhile, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been staying with George, seven, Charlotte, five, and two-year-old Louis in Norfolk at Anmer Hall.
Her Majesty released a message on Twitter wishing Meghan Markle a happy birthday as the Duchess of Sussex turned 39 in LA.
The Queen recently knighted Sir Thomas Moore for his fundraising efforts for the NHS during the pandemic.