King Charles continues to keep special 800-year-old royal tradition alive

King Charles is keen on continuing a special age-old tradition in the royal family, especially after his ascension.

Apart from being the British monarch, Charles also holds the title of ‘Seigneur of the Swans’ which means that he is the owner of every wild, unmarked swan in England that roams the country’s rivers.

The King participated in the 800-year-old tradition on Friday, known as Swan Upping, which tallies the number of swans on the River Thames.

In the tradition dating back to the 12th century, the current Royal Swan Marker, David Barber, and his team counted the swans along the river’s over 130-km reach.

The royal family also shared a glimpse of the activity that concluded on Friday, which showed the team rowing in boats called “skiffs” to record the swans.

The ships also held red flags that were branded with Charles’ royal emblem.

Previously, British monarchs over the centuries would eat the swans as delicacies for lavish banquets. However, now, the annual census has changed from a ceremonial event to a significant part of wildlife conservation, according to the royal family’s official website.