Centuries-old Swan-upping ceremony returns to UK’s River Thames

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) – The annual ceremonial event of "swan-upping" has commenced on the River Thames this week, offering a visual spectacle to Britons along the riverbanks.

During the Middle Ages, swans were considered a status symbol and a culinary delicacy.

To own swans, one had to buy an official swan mark from the government.

To safeguard these birds as a valuable resource, the Crown decreed that any unmarked swans in open waters were royal property.

This led to the British monarch adopting the title “Seigneur of the Swans” and initiating the tradition of Swan Upping.

This tradition lives on eight centuries later, even though swans are no longer eaten.

- Centuries-old tradition

This centuries-old tradition, which takes place every year in the third week of July, spans five days this year, from July 15 to 19, covering sections of the river in eight-hour daily journeys between the towns of Sunbury and Abingdon in southern England.

Swan-upping is a significant event on the royal family's calendar, upheld by Windsor for 800 years since its establishment in the 12th century.

The ceremony serves as a method of conservation for the mute swan population on the Thames, allowing the crown to conduct a census of the birds and assess their health.

The event is a collaborative effort by the crown, Vintners' Livery Company, and Dyers' Livery Company, which together share ownership of all swans in the nation.

The ceremony involves three teams — one from each party — each with two boats and six men.

They fly the king's standard or their trade association's flag.

Swan-uppers, who are Thames watermen, often come from families with a long history of the tradition.

During the ceremony, the birds are weighed, measured, and examined for injuries.

New cygnets born after the previous year's census are apportioned based on their parentage before being returned to the water.

"Last year saw a considerable downturn in cygnet numbers due to the loss of many of the breeding pairs during the outbreak of avian influenza," a statement on the Swan Upping website read.

"In some cases, the swans may rebuild their nests which could result in a late breeding season this year," it added.