Lesser-known but long-standing traditions of the British Monarchy

Considering the ceaseless and continual change in the tides of time, British Royalty has surely come a long way. They have not only established their mark in the history of mankind, but have successfully upheld their traditions and ceremonies up until now. Although, different people may hold different opinions about the Crown and it’s colonial past and may even despise them for their historical hegemony, it is an undeniable fact that they have triumphantly maintained and preserved their royal customs throughout the centuries. Here’s a glimpse of all the lesser-known but long-standing traditions of the British Monarchy.

Photo: Getty images

The State Opening of Parliament is an official event initiated by the Queen of England that marks the beginning of the British parliamentary session. According to the official website of the Royal Family, “The State Opening is the only regular event to unite the three elements of legislature – the House of Lords, the House of Commons and The Queen – together as the Crown in Parliament”.

During this event, the Queen travels to the Palace of Westminster in a stage coach following the carriage carrying the Imperial State Crown and regalia for the ceremony. Upon arrival, the Queen is escorted to the ‘Robing room’ where she is crowned and adorned with long crimson velvet Robe of State. She then leads the procession to the House of Lords and delivers a speech to both Houses of Parliament, at the end of which the session commences.

Trooping of the Colour is a 260 year old tradition that marks the official birthday of the British Sovereign. The ceremony takes place in the month of June every year, where 1400 parading soldiers accompanied by 200 horses and 400 musicians march along the Mall of London. The tradition dates back to the 17th Century, when the ceremony was a military ritual rather than a birthday celebration.

There was a time when mute swans were a form of royal delicacy. However, over time, swan upping as a tradition has come up with ways to conserve the species. Every July, a team of “Swan Uppers” rows along the River Thames and rounds up all the mute swans. They assess the birds’ weight and check to make sure they’re in good health.

The Ceremony of the Keys is a long-standing tradition that is assumed to date back to the 14th Century, making it the oldest military ceremony in the world. Every single night at 9:53 p.m., the Chief Yeoman Warder, accompanied by an escort of Queen’s Guardsmen, walks around the Tower of London and checks up on all the gates. After securing all the gates, the Warder arrives at the Bloody Tower, a sentry asks, “Who goes there?” The Warder confirms that he has the Queen’s keys and the sentry allows him to pass. It is said that during World War II an airstrike knocked the Warder and his escort down, which lead to the delay in the ceremony. When they wrote to King George VI apologizing for the setback, he replied to them saying that a bombing was indeed an acceptable excuse.

The royal tradition to accommodate six military ravens in the Tower of London goes back to the reign of King Charles II i.e. the 1600s. The tradition roots back to a superstitious belief started by a royal courtier, who stated that "if the Tower of London ravens are lost or fly away, the Crown will fall and Britain with it." Although, it began as a telltale, the royals of today uphold the belief and currently, six captive ravens are resident at the Tower of London.

On the 18th of June every year, the British Monarchy celebrates its grand victory against Napoleon Bonaparte in the Battle of Waterloo. Following the battle and the triumph, Arthur Wellesley, the 1st Duke of Wellington was presented with the Stratfield Saye House in Hampshire by the people of the United Kingdom in 1817. Since that day, every year, the acting Duke of Wellington pays the symbolic rent to the reigning monarch in the form of a flag.

The act of ‘Pricking’ is an ancient tradition that helps choose and appoint the High Sheriffs of Wales and England. The custom is said to have begun with the Queen Mother Elizabeth I, where she would appoint the sheriff while engaged in a work of embroidery. Therefore, instead of using a pen, she would always use her bodkin to prick the parchment with the names of sheriff candidates.

The Queen of England may be adorned with various titles and honours, but being the Monarch of England and the proprietor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Her Majesty is also referred to as ‘The Duke’ of Lancaster and the same in the Channel Islands, where she is The Duke of Normandy. When Queen Victoria inherited the title, she chose to keep the title as it is instead of changing it to ‘Duchess’. According to her, she considered ‘Duke’ to be higher ranking title than Duchess.