Two swans and four cygnets enjoyed a lazy afternoon on the slipway at St Helen’s Wharf in Abingdon. Someone had done some crochet swans on the railings nearby. The swans seemed to enjoy preening themselves.
At about 4:30pm, two small boats met the swans who had gone for a paddle. The swans were enticed with treats to Abingdon Sailing Club, where they were given more treats.
At about 4:45pm, the swan uppers arrived. They circled the swans and once surrounded, moved in so that the swans had nowhere to go.
The swans and cygnets were then lifted out of the water. The cygnets were ringed to say who they belonged to: King Charles, the Vintners, or the Dyers. After a health check, the swans were released.
The swan uppers rowed through Abingdon to Abingdon Bridge, where a crowd gathered.
They brought all of the rowing boats together and passed around the rum.
The swan uppers then raised their glasses to toast King Charles.
The ceremony of Swan Upping takes place during the third week of July every year. It began on Monday July 17 from Sunbury Lock in Middlesex, and finished today, Friday July 21, at Abingdon Bridge in Oxfordshire. This is the first time that the Swan Uupping has been carried out on behalf of King Charles. As you can see, the oars have the King’s CR cypher.
The Royal Swan Marker, David Barber, also has the CR cypher on his jacket. He is responsible for overseeing the Swan Upping ceremony and ensuring that the swans are healthy and well-cared for.
Swan Upping has been taking place for centuries. It is a chance to study swans up close, and help their conservation by detecting the impact of factors such as avian flu.
