Inside the centuries-old swan census ordered by King Charles III

Swan uppers check mute swans during the ancient tradition of Swan Upping, the annual census of the mute swan population on the River Thames in London - (Associated Press)

Scarlet uniforms cut a striking figure against the River Thames this week as the annual five-day census of King Charles III’s swans, known as Swan Upping, commenced.

The traditional event, which began on Monday, sees a young swan gently lifted, measured, inspected, and released, to assess the health of the royal flock.