Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles I. Shutterstock (2)
Keep everyone informed. Queen Elizabeth II‘s bees were told about her death and King Charles III‘s ascension.
John ChappleHe is the official royal beekeeper at Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Clarence House. The 79-year old revealed to the insects that he told them about the transfer of power on Friday September 9, one day after the death of the queen.
“I’m at the hives now and it is traditional when someone dies that you go to the hives and say a little prayer and put a black ribbon on the hive,” Chapple told the Daily MailIn an interview published Saturday September 10.
He tied a ribbon and bow of black around each hive. There were two at Clarence House and five at Buckingham Palace. Each hive is home to approximately 20,000 bees. “The tradition is you tap gently on the hive and say your mistress or master is dead but your new master will be good to you so treat him well,” the expert explained.
The tradition dates back centuries and spawned the phrase “tell it to the bees.” Those who kept bees used to believe that the insects needed to be told about important events — such as births, deaths, marriages or any incoming or outgoing household members — otherwise the bees would be distressed and leave their hive or stop producing honey.
“The person who has died is the master or mistress of the hives, someone important in the family who dies and you don’t get any more important than the Queen, do you?” Chapple said.
He gently informed the creatures that Charles was their new master. “You knock on each hive and say, ‘The mistress is dead, but don’t you go. Your master will be a good master to you,’” the beekeeper said.
After more than 70 years as a reigning sovereign, Elizabeth died on Thursday September 8. After Elizabeth’s death, her eldest child, 73-year-old Charles III, was made King Charles III.
“It is my most sorrowful duty to announce you to the death of my beloved mother, the queen,” the regent said on Saturday while addressing the accession council at St. James’ Palace. “I know how deeply you, the entire nation —and I think I may say the whole world — sympathize with me in the irreparable loss we have all suffered.” It is the greatest consolation to me to know of the sympathy expressed by so many to my sister [Princess Anne]My brothers [Prince Andrew and Prince Edward] and that such overwhelming affection and support should be extended to our whole family in our loss.”
He added: “My mother’s reign was unequaled in its duration, its dedication and its devotion. Even though we grieve, it is important to give thanks for this most faithful existence. I am deeply aware of this great inheritance and of the duties and heavy responsibilities of sovereignty which have now passed to me.”
Charles and his wife Camilla, Queen Consort, have passed their titles as Duke & Duchess of Cornwall on to his son Prince WilliamYour wife Princess Kate. The couple, who were both 40, were made the Duke and Duchess respectively of Cambridge and Cornwall. They also received the titles Prince of Wales and Princess of Wales. Kate is the first Princess Of Wales since Princess Diana, who passed away in 1997.
