Why Royals Do Swan Upping

If you had to guess what “Swan Upping” means, what would you say? Go ahead, take a look. Here’s a hint: it has nothing to do with outdoing a swan, because let’s face it, swans will always win no matter what game you’re playing.

Give up? Swan Upping is basically the royal version of the census. And it’s all royal fury. Originally, the swans were part of a festival, but the meat has fallen out of favor and they are released to enjoy their freedom.

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The British Crown owns all unmarked mute swans in open water. Rights to swans may, however, be granted by the Crown to a British subject (equivalently they may also be exercised by prescription). Until the 16th century, ownership of swans in a given body of water was usually vested in landowners. The tradition of riding swans on the Thames began in the 12th century.

Visit the royal website for more information about this activity.

The annual census of the mute swan population, known as ‘Swan Upping’, began on the River Thames yesterday.

Swan Upping aims to educate people about swan welfare and the need to protect the swan population. pic.twitter.com/bxJYL5HuHt

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 17, 2018

This afternoon the Princess Royal accompanied the Swan Uppers on board a Thames Skiff as they counted the cygnets between Cookham and Marlow. pic.twitter.com/dLEB9MJKMd

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 17, 2018

Only two companies still have swan marks: Vintners’ Livery Company and Dyers’ Livery Company.

Swan Upping is now less about censuses and more about waterfowl education and protection. The swans are weighed and checked for signs of injury and disease.

@UniOfOxford’s Professor Christopher Perrins and the @swan_support team were on board to carry out all the necessary checks on the swans.

The team weighed the cygnets (which can range from as little as 1kg to as much as 9kg!), measured their beaks and checked them for any injuries. pic.twitter.com/HwIwdWwqZf

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 17, 2018

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Vogue reports that the late Queen was last spotted at a swan upping in 2009.