Preppy princess! Anne, 67, looks smart in a summer suit as watches royal staff count new cygnets in the annual 'Swan Upping' on the River Thames
- Princess Anne attended undertaking of the annual cencus of swan population
- Took place on Thames on Tuesday led by David Barber, the Queen’s Swan Marker
- Princess Anne wore a light summer suit, sunglasses and red lipstick for event
Princess Anne stepped out today to observe royal staff carry out the annual census of the swan population on the River Thames.
The Princess Royal, 67, donned a lightweight summer suit as she watched the practice, known as 'Swan Upping'.
Opting for a pair of wide-legged beige trousers, Anne teamed them with coordinating blazer adorned with a brooch, injecting a splash of colour with a blue blouse.
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Princess Anne, 67, wore a summer suit as she joined royal staff in undertaking the annual census of the swan population known as 'Swan Upping' on the River Thames on Tuesday
The Princess Royal donned a lightweight summer suit as she watched the practice, known as 'Swan Upping'
Opting for a pair of wide-legged beige trousers, Anne teamed them with coordinating blazer adorned with a brooch, injecting a splash of colour with a blue blouse.
The royal wore her hair swept back, and completed her look with sunglasses and red lipstick, opting for practical loafers.
She watched David Barber, the Queen’s Swan Marker, led his team as they spent a second day carrying out the count of new cygnets.
It follows a winter that saw some animals killed by bird flu. In February, around 20 swans from the Queen’s Windsor flock were believed to have died from the illness.
The monarch, who technically owns all unmarked mute swans in open water in Britain, was kept informed about the development at the time.
She watched David Barber, the Queen’s Swan Marker, led his team as they spent a second day carrying out the count of new cygnets
Swan Upping is normally held on the third Monday of July and began with teams in rowing boats, known as Thames Skiffs, taking to the water
Swan Upping is normally held on the third Monday of July and began with teams in rowing boats, known as Thames Skiffs, taking to the water.
The ceremony dates back to the 12th century when the ownership of all unmarked mute swans in open water in Britain was claimed by the Crown in order to ensure a ready supply for feasts.
Today, the Queen exercises this right only on certain stretches of the River Thames and surrounding tributaries.
The royal wore her hair swept back, and completed her look with sunglasses and red lipstick, opting for practical loafers
The ownership is shared with the Worshipful Company of Vintners and the Worshipful Company of Dyers, who were granted rights of ownership by the Crown in the 15th century.
Swan Upping now serves as an annual health check when swans and cygnets are weighed and checked for signs of disease or injury.
Cygnets whose parents are Dyers or Vintners’s birds are themselves ringed, while all others are left unmarked to denote they belong to the Queen.
The ceremony dates back to the 12th century when the ownership of all unmarked mute swans in open water in Britain was claimed by the Crown in order to ensure a ready supply for feasts
Last year Anne was crowned the 'busiest royal' for the second time after clocking up 455 official engagements in 2017.
Anne put her younger family members to shame with a dizzying roster of UK gala dinners, receptions and charity events - as well as a further 85 engagements overseas.
Hot on Anne's heels was her brother the Prince of Wales, who has carried out an impressive 374 duties on home turf this year, followed by 172 foreign events.
The figures, published by The Times in December, show that Charles, 69, did the most overseas travelling last year.
Today, the Queen exercises this right only on certain stretches of the River Thames and surrounding tributaries (Princess Anne seen greeting the team)
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