36. Every wild swan in the UK has technically belonged to the crown since the 12th century
Since the 12th century, the English crown has owned all wild mute swans in open water. Over time, the monarchy began allowing select, influential people to own swans in exchange for some service or other. Privileged, non-royal owners marked their birds to distinguish them from the royalty’s wild swans. Today, the Queen only exercises her right to wild unmarked swans over parts of the Thames. The annual Swan Upping ceremony counts swans along the River Thames. Royal servants and permitted owners catch swans, check them for marks, and release them. The ceremony is conducted by the Royal Swan Marker.
