The British mourn Queen Elizabeth II. But not only the citizens were informed about the death - the royal bees were also informed.
London – The news of the death of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II spread around the world at lightning speed.
But not only the citizens of the island were informed as quickly as possible.
According to a superstition, the royal bees were also informed of the death of their queen.
Black ribbons around the Queen's beehives
So the royal beekeeper informed the bees in the grounds of Buckingham Palace of the death of the Queen and the accession of her eldest son Charles.
Beekeeper John Chapple, 79, told the
Daily Mail newspaper that he tied black ribbons around the beehives and gave them the sad news orally.
So he knocked on the hives and informed the bees, "The mistress is dead, but don't go away.
Your new master will be a good master to you.” He also urged the insects to be good to their new master.
In an ancient tradition, Royal beekeeper #JohnChapple has notified the palace hive of HM #QueenElizabethII death, whereupon the hives were sashed in mourning black.
He told the bees that #KingCharles is their new Master & is rooted in superstition about honey production 🐝 pic.twitter.com/PXeXE4AcyJ
— Mr Pål Christiansen 🇳🇴😍🇬🇧 (@TheNorskaPaul) September 10, 2022
Queen Elizabeth II: According to superstition, bees must be informed as soon as possible
The plot, which is also called "Telling the bees", goes back to a centuries-old superstition, according to which the bees would stop honey production or even die if they were not informed promptly about the change of throne.
This tradition may have its roots in Celtic mythology and is practiced throughout Europe.
However, it is not yet certain whether the bees will remain part of the British royal family at all.
However, Chapple hopes that the new king Charles III.
wants to keep the bees and can therefore continue to take care of the royal insects.
For the pensioner it was "a wonderful privilege" to be the beekeeper of the British royal family bees.
(ph/dpa)
List of rubrics: © Oliver Dietze/dpa