NTDTV
Great Britain: Queen Elizabeth Counts Her Swans
(NTDTV)
The British monarch owns all unmarked mute swans in open water in Britain, but has never before watched the royal custom of “Swan Upping” in person.
She traveled on a steamer from Boveney Lock at Eton Wick, Buckinghamshire, flanked by a flotilla of boats to see cygnets being weighed and measured.
For this Royal performance though, nothing was left to chance. The swans weren’t caught in the river, but magically appeared from the riverside in the arms of the oarsmen.
Organizers changed the usual starting point in Sunbury in Surrey in order to fit in the Queen’s visit.
Her majesty, who is known as the Seigneur of the Swans during the historic ceremony, met the team of Swan Uppers whose job it is to corral, catch and mark the swans.
The annual event dates back to the 12th Century when the ownership of all un-owned mute swans in Britain was claimed by the Crown in order to ensure a ready supply for banquets and feasts.
Swan Upping now serves a conservational rather than culinary purpose.
When a brood of cygnets is sighted, a cry of “All up” is given to signal that the boats should get into position.
The swans, usually two parent birds and three cygnets, are then weighed, ringed and checked for signs of disease or injury during the week long census.
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