Mating for life...

As Prince William and Kate Middleton prepare to take their wedding vows, one animal with historic royal connections is renowned for its life long commitment.

Swans famously mate for life. The links between these graceful, majestic birds and the British monarchy date back to the 12th century, when the Crown claimed ownership of all mute swans.

Today, it still retains that right over all unmarked mute swans in open water, but the Queen only exercises her ownership on some parts of the Thames.

Every year in July an annual swan census is carried out, known as Swan Upping, during which the Queen’s Swan Marker and associates compile data on the existing number of swans and cygnets.

Swans are characterised by their devotion to one another and only if their partner dies will they attempt to find a suitable mate.

Julia Newth, wildlife health research officer at the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust in Slimbridge, said: “Swans will stay together for as long as they possibly can. They have very distinct rituals that they go through during their courtship. The courtship can take a few weeks, you can see it taking place now as we near the breeding season.

“They approach each other, face each other and turn their heads down so the ‘s’ shape of their necks takes the form of a heart, it’s quite romantic when you see it.”

As soon as they have found a suitable mate they will enter the courtship ritual, then as a pair they will stay together.

She added: “They are very faithful and very loyal to each other. After meeting their partner, they develop a strong bond and stay with each other all the time, which is very endearing. They stay very close to each other and do everything in a partnership. They tend to feed together and around April or May the mute swans will start to build their nest.”

The nest is built by the females, while the males find the materials and play a protective role, guarding the nest.