Yesterday Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Seigneur of the Swans, observed for the first time the Swan Upping from a launch on the River Thames.

Click to see the gallery at royal.gov.uk

The Queen owns all unmarked mute swans in the United Kingdom, but today Her Majesty only exercises this right in the area of the Thames. Each year, in the third week of July, the annual swan census is carried out by Her Majesty’s Swan Marker and members of the Worshipful Company of Vintners and the Worshipful Company of Dyers.

The Swans are weighed, measured and marked in a bid to conserve the swan population and ensure the welfare of the swans. This ancient ceremony has taken on a new “green” role and is one of the many ways the Royal Household takes part in green and environmental initiatives.

Swan Upping is a colourful sight, with flags, uniforms and banners. This year it can be viewed on the following days:

Monday, 20 July 2009: Eton Bridge to Cookham

Tuesday, 21 July 2009: Cookham to Marlow Lock

Wednesday, 22 July 2009: Marlow Bridge to Sonning Bridge

Thursday, 23 July 2009: Sonning-on-Thames to Moulsford

Friday, 24 July 2009: Moulsford to Abingdon Bridge

The Queen’s Swan Marker and his team wear distinctive uniforms and his cap contains a large swan feather. Each day the markers stand and toast The Queen and as they sail past Windsor Castle they stand in salute to “Her Majesty The Queen, Seigneur of the Swans”. Click here to view a video of this year’s event.

RoyalProtocol British Royals Animals, Elizabeth II, Swan Upping

Click for the image at the BBC website

 Today is one of the Days on which it is commanded by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II that the Union Flag be flown on all UK Government Buildings, Gun Salutes will be fired, at St. George’s Chapel and Westminster Abbey the bells will be rung and in the Abbey evensong will feature Byrd’s “O Lord Make thy servant Elizabeth our Queen”.

Click for the gallery at the British Monarchy website

These celebrations are all in honour of Coronation Day, fifty six years ago today, Elizabeth II was crowned amid much pomp and circumstance in the Collegiate Church of St. Peter’s Westminster (Westminster Abbey). Her Majesty dedicated herself to the service of the Nation and The Commonwealth before God and promised to uphold the Christian faith and the established Church. Read more…

RoyalProtocol British Royals Ceremonial, Coronation, Elizabeth II, Protocol

 One often notices, when out shopping, that many items carry the Royal Coat of Arms and the legend “By Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen….” These companies are holders of a Royal Warrant to indicate that the Royal Household uses their produce; it is the greatest honour a UK business can have.

 From Smythson of Bond Street, Barbour and Fortnum & Mason to Heinz, Silver Spoon Sugar and McIlhenny Company (Tabasco Sauce) the Royal Warrant can be found on a great variety of products. The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh and The Prince of Wales can all award these warrants and give their Royal seal of approval.

Read more…

RoyalProtocol British Royals Elizabeth II, Protocol

Click the image to read the article at the BBC website

 The Death of Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother seven years ago did not come as a shock. Her late Majesty was in her 102^nd year and had been in declining health since the death of her Younger Daughter Her late Royal Highness The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon in February. Queen Elizabeth’s funeral took place Seven years ago today amid much pomp and ceremony in one of the largest Funerals and gatherings of foreign Crowned Heads since the death of her beloved husband King George VI of Blessed and Glorious Memory some 50 years before.

Westminster Abbey was the venue for Her Majesty’s funeral which was a scene from a bygone age. After the very Anglican and in parts very Scottish service the last post was sounded and The Garter King of Arms proclaimed the styles and titles of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth:

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RoyalProtocol British Royals Death, Funeral, Queen Mother

Click the image to see the gallery at Getty

 Her Majesty The Queen today took part in one of the oldest of Royal ceremonies. The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, attended the Office of the Royal Maundy at St. Edmundsbury Cathedral. During the service Her Majesty distributed specially minted Maundy Money to 83 men and 83 women (83 being the years of The Queen’s age).These silver coins are gifts to the “poor” of the Dioceses as Her Majesty’s observance of Christ’s final meal when he washed his disciples feet. The Queen comes to the people and it is an act of humility by The Sovereign before God.

The Tradition dates back to the 1^st Century A.D. and the English Crown has observed the practice of feet washing on Maundy Thursday for over 500 years. The Queen now hands out alms in place of washing her subjects’ feet.

Last year I was present in St. Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, Armagh when The Queen distributed the Maundy Money. The Hymns included the traditional Maundy Thursday Hymn: Praise to the Holiest in The Height, which is used every year in this special service. The service concludes with two verses of the National Anthem and the benediction.

The Maundy Service is one of The Queen’s annual duties which Her Majesty really does seem to enjoy and she always has a lovely smile for each of the recipients.

The recipients of the Maundy Money are no longer really the poor, but are men and women of all denominations who do work for their Church over many years. This is The Queen’s way of saying “thank you” for all the hard work they put into Church life over the years.

For more information about the Maundy Service, see this thread.

RoyalProtocol British Royals Elizabeth II, Maundy Service

 This morning The Queen will welcome The President of Mexico to The UK at the start of his State Visit. 

A state visit (especially where a Monarch is involved) is one of the most formal royal events, full of ceremonial and protocol

Queen Elizabeth II has maintained the traditions of the Edwardian Court and continues to entertain state visitors in a manner more suitable of the 1900’s. Nevertheless these great occasions are the highlight of the Royal year and continue to be a big news story.

A UK incoming state visit usually begins mid-week and is held in London or Windsor (very occasional Edinburgh) and begins with a ceremonial welcome on Horse Guards or The Main Street in Windsor, carriage rides, guards of honour and national anthems all play a key role in these proceedings and a detailed programme is prepared by The Lord Chamberlain’s Office.
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RoyalProtocol British Royals Ceremonial, Elizabeth II, Protocol, State Visit

 Yesterday I had the pleasant task of helping at Gold Award Presentations in St. James’s Palace in London.

The Morning Presentation was attended by His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness presented over 350 young people with their Gold Awards and spoke to them about their wonderful achievement. The Duke of Edinburgh was assisted in presenting the Awards by television and sporting world personalities and other noteworthy individuals including the High Sheriff of West Sussex.

The 320 young people invited to the Afternoon Presentation had the honour of meeting His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex. Prince Edward chatted to all of the Gold Award recipients and to many of their parents and other specially invited guests. The Earl also had some assistance from celebrities including Mr. Bill Turnbull from BBC Breakfast.

I was assigned some of these special guests and took them on a tour of the State Apartments before the Presentation began. We toured The Throne Room, Entrée Room, Queen Anne Room, Banqueting Room and The Picture Gallery. We also visited The Guard Room from which The Duke of Windsor and Mrs. Simpson had watched as Garter King of Arms proclaimed him Edward VIII, King of Great Britain, Ireland, The British Dominions beyond the seas and Emperor of India at the start of his short reign. Read more…

RoyalProtocol British Royals Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward, Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh's Award

Meeting a member of any Royal Family can be a nerve wrecking experience for even the most seasoned Royal watcher. The questions of what to wear, say and do can be mind boggling and then there is the major question should I bow / curtsey. In days gone by it was an obligatory act of deference to ones Sovereign, today it is optional. Buckingham Palace state only that many people wish to observe these traditional forms, however a handshake is just as acceptable.

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RoyalProtocol Uncategorized Bowing & Curtseying, Protocol

 The Queen’s presence is, by long tradition, marked by the flying of Her Majesty’s Royal Standard. This flag is flown over a building in which The Queen is present, from a ship in which Her Majesty is travelling, from the roof of The Queen’s official cars and from Royal Aircraft when on the Ground.

The Royal Standard is not flown from ecclesiastical buildings, with the exception of Westminster Abbey which may fly the Standard even in The Queen’s absence providing Her Majesty is in the vicinity of the Abbey. Read more…

RoyalProtocol British Royals Elizabeth II, Protocol

 Next Thursday I am attending a Presentation of Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards in St. James’s Palace, London as a member of Staff, I recently received my invitation card for the event so I decided to write the following blog on Royal invitations.

Invitations from Buckingham Palace are an exciting item of post which often the leaves the recipient confused and bewildered. It requires a precise form of reply and will led you on your way to wonderful experience with Her Majesty The Queen or one of the members of The Royal Family.

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RoyalProtocol British Royals Ceremonial, Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward, Protocol