Loyal Royal ducks take a walk

by Baya Agarwal; Mar 13, 2009

Ever heard about the Royal ducks? Every Easter, they make for the most amusing tale among all of Britain's 'Royals.'

The ducks travel a distance of two miles every year in the first week of April, just to lay eggs in the garden of Westminster Abbey.

Everything about Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and the Royals is ceremonial. So is it with the Royal ducks and their egg-laying.

Each year when the whole of Britain is busy celebrating Easter, these Royal ducks lay eggs of perhaps greater importance than easter eggs.

The tale goes like this - just as the Royal family still feels closer to the Westminster Abbey than their current residence at the Buckingham palace, so do the Royal ducks.

This is considered a sign of their loyalty to their Masters.

A long walk

"Ducks at the Buckingham Palace are just as royal as are the inhabitants of the Palace," says Jack Higgins, guide at the Houses of Parliament.

"When the Royal family moved centuries ago from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace, with them had moved all the pets, ducks being one of them."

As soon as the Royal ducks leave Buckingham Palace, they are followed by the security guards. Traffic is halted between Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey to make sure the ducks reach safely.

"The Royal ducks are received with respect by the guards at Westminster Abbey where they come just to lay eggs," explains Higgins.

People believe that the Royal ducks feel safer and more comfortable laying eggs at Westminster Abbey. Therefore, for centuries they have been walking all the way to make sure their future generations get a feel of the past.

Higgins has invited us to visit Westminster Abbey in the first week of April, when the action takes place. See for yourself how true this crazy story is!

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