Swan Upping Starts Today

Just thought you might enjoy knowing....
 

Today, July 22nd, is  the start of the five-day ‪ Royal and annual Swan Upping ceremony in the English rivers around the Thames...

The ceremony, led by The Queen's Swan Marker is responsible for an annual count and health evaluation of the Queen's swans....

The historic ceremony dates back to the 12th Century, when the Crown claimed ownership of all mute swans.

In the Swan Upping ceremony, the Swan Markers identify, weigh, and health check cygnets or baby swans before releasing them. The Swan Upper advises organisations throughout the UK on swan welfare, and works with fishing and boating organisations, helping them work with existing wildlife and maintaining the swans' natural habitat.

Children from local schools are invited every year to watch the ceremony so they too can learn how to protect the local swan population.  We were in the area one year during the Swan-upping on one of our annual UK visits, and quite a few folks were present to see it. These photos are from the UK Press Assoc.   For more info, click on the links below:

 http://www.royalswan.co.uk/

 https://www.royal.uk/swan-upping

English traditions are always wonderful, and so interesting, don't you think? 

And adding that July 17th is the 70th birthday  of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, wife of Prince Charles. 

This birthday portrait was released by Clarence House last year, and was done by the favorite Royal family photographer, Mario Testino.
Lovely!

Our daughter's birthday is also July 17th, so will be celebrating that too!

 
This drawing of swans was presented to The Queen by the Royal Academy of Arts in 1953 as part of a coronation gift, and is now in the Royal Collection Trust.

Cheers!