In a ceremonial manner, His Majesty holds ownership over any unclaimed mute swan found in open waters in both England and Wales, a law dating back to medieval times. The ownership
is shared with the Worshipful Company of Dyers, a privilege bestowed upon them by the Crown in the 1400s.
Every year, a census of all swans in the River Thames takes place, known as Swan Upping, occurring during the third week of July. Local school children are invited to witness this event.
Swan Upping lasts for five days, commencing at approximately 8:45 am BST. During this occasion, His Majesty's Swan Marker, the Royal Swan Uppers, and the Swan Uppers of the Vintners' and Dyers' employ six traditional Thames rowing skiffs as they journey up-river.
Adorned in traditional scarlet uniforms, the participants also display the appropriate flags and pennants on each boat. As per the monarchy's protocol, when a brood of cygnets is spotted, a cry of 'All up!' is issued, signifying the boats to take their positions. When passing Windsor Castle, all the Swan Uppers stand in attention with raised oars in their boats and salute '[His Majesty The King], Seigneur of the Swans.'"
Swan Upping involves the weighing and measuring of the swans, enabling the recording of their growth rate each year. Additionally, they undergo examination to check for injuries, commonly caused by fishing lines and hooks. In July, following the conclusion of Swan Upping, His Majesty's Swan Marker releases a report that provides data on the number of swans accounted for during the event.
Despite its unusual nature, Swan Upping plays a crucial role in helping researchers identify concerning trends concerning the swan population in the river. For instance, the swan population declined rapidly in the 1980s due to the ingestion of lead fishing weights used by fishermen in the area, leading to their prohibition. Subsequently, the swan population rebounded in the following years.
Although a lesser-known royal tradition, Swan Upping exemplifies King Charles's dedication to conservation efforts. Photo by Charles J. Sharp, Wikimedia commons.