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UK: Royal beekeeper must inform sad palace bees that Queen has died in bizarre tradition

John Chapple holds a section from one of the beehives he tends in Lambeth Palace.

John Chapple, the official palace beekeeper, made the poignant journey to the hive yesterday after news of the Queen’s death where he carried out the ancient ritual

By Graeme Murray
Mirror
10 Sep 2022

Excerpt:

A bizarre ancient tradition has seen the royal beekeeper tell palace bees the Queen has died.

In whispered tones the insects have been informed they have a new master, King Charles III.

The sad news was broken to the bees at hives in the grounds of Buckingham Palace and Clarence House.

John Chapple, 79, the official palace beekeeper, made the poignant journey to the locations on Friday after news of the Queen’s death.

Black ribbons were then tied in bows on the hives, where thousands of bees live.

The ritual continued with him telling them the Queen had died and a new master would now be in charge.

The bees were then urged to be good to their new master King Charles.

The unusual and ancient superstition came about because it was believed that not informing the bees about a new owner would lead to then not producing honey, abandoning the hive or dying.

Mr Chapple told MailOnline: “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.

Read the complete article here.