As well as letting the people of the United Kingdom know that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II passed away on Thursday (September 8), an ancient royal tradition means that someone must inform the palace bees that the Queen has died, too. This person is the royal beekeeper, who has the important job of informing the insects that they have a new master.
And, as MailOnline reports, we can confirm that the sad news of the Queen's passing has been delivered to the bees at hives in the grounds of Buckingham Palace and Clarence House - in 'whispered tones'. John Chapple, 79, is the official palace beekeeper and he made the poignant journey to each location on Friday.
Black ribbons were tied in bows on the hives, which are home to thousands of bees, and the ritual continued with him telling them the Queen had died and a new master would now be in charge. What's more, the bees were then urged to 'be good' to their new master, King Charles III.
