1. The Queen’s Swans Belong to the Monarch (United Kingdom)
Since the 12th century, an enduring royal law decrees that all unmarked mute swans in open waters across England and Wales are the property of the reigning monarch. While the law’s influence is mostly ceremonial today, it remains actively upheld each summer during the traditional Swan Upping—an official census along the River Thames. This unique event not only preserves a centuries-old royal privilege but also underscores the continuing link between British royalty and the country’s wildlife. Read more
