Swan Upping in Windsor: 900-Year-Old Royal Tradition Where the King's Swans Are Counted

Today (14th July 2026) in Windsor, I was lucky enough to capture the historic and beautiful tradition of Swan Upping on the River Thames. Dating back to the 12th century, Swan Upping is the annual census of the mute swan population on the River Thames. The King's Swan Marker and the Swan Uppers dressed in their iconic scarlet uniforms, row traditional wooden skiffs up the river, calling out "All Up!" when they spot a family of swans. Once caught, the cygnets (baby swans) are carefully weighed, measured, and checked for any injuries to ensure the health and conservation of the local swan population. #SwanUpping, #Windsor, #RoyalFamily, #Thames, #RoyalTraditions