The Crown's ownership of mute swans in England and Wales is a historic privilege dating back to medieval times. The Crown claimed all unmarked swans in open waters to control the population and protect them as a valuable food source. Royal gamekeepers marked swans with a unique beak nick.
Today, this tradition continues, but the Crown's rights are largely symbolic. The reigning monarch is considered the owner of all unmarked mute swans in open waters, though ownership is no longer actively managed. Conservation organizations and wildlife authorities now handle swan care and protection.
This ownership applies only to mute swans in open waters; other swan species and waterfowl fall under different regulations and jurisdictions.