Queen’s love of birds started with sweary parrot referred to as Charlotte
It was one of Queen Elizabeth’s best-loved roles that harked back to both her father’s and grandfather’s love of birds.
Her Late Majesty was patron of the Royal Pigeon Racing Association, owned 200 of the birds herself and was responsible for the 100-strong collection of budgerigars at Windsor.
But it recently emerged that King Charles has declined to take on his mother’s former role, as well as the position of patron of the National Flying Club which she also held.
King George VI had a great enthusiasm for pigeons, with his favourite, Royal Blue, receiving the Dickin Medal for Gallantry in 1940.
But it was King George V‘s pet parrot Charlotte that made the biggest impression on the Royal Family.
As a child, Princess Elizabeth would feed her sugar lumps and spent time playing with the bird in the garden of royal homes including Balmoral.
Princess Elizabeth and her younger sister Margaret seen in February 1943 preparing to release a carrier pigeon with a message to Chief Guide Lady Olave Baden-Powell to mark both her birthday and that of her husband, Robert, who was the founder of the scout movement
Princess Elizabeth seen in 1928 at Balmoral standing next to Charlotte the parrot, the bird owned by her grandfather King George V. Behind her is Queen Mary, her grandmother
King George, who acquired the African Grey in an Eastern port when he served in the Royal Navy, would bring his parrot to the dinner table, despite the disapproval of his wife, Queen Mary.
When Charlotte made a mess at the table, he would slide a mustard pot over it so that his wife would not see.
The bird was talkative and could apparently say, ‘God Save the King’, as well a several rude words.
The bird would perch on his shoulder when he sat in his study at Buckingham Palace, or in the drawing room in the evening.
After the King’s death in January 1936, Charlotte travelled with the body of her master from Sandringham to London in the funeral train.
The Daily Mail reported: ‘Charlotte was carried to Wolferton Station in a covered cage on the knees of a royal servant riding in a brake.
‘The lively, talkative bird, whose delight was to fly around King George’s study at Sandringham and perch on his desk or his shoulder, has made many journeys with him by train and motor-car.
Princess Elizabeth and her younger sister Princess Margaret, send a message by carrier pigeon to Lady Baden-Powell on her birthday, February 1943
Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret seen alongside their father King George VI outside the aviary at Royal Lodge
There was also an aviary in the grounds of Royal Lodge. A photograph taken in 1940 shows the young Princess Elizabeth in the enclosure with several birds as her sister Margaret looked on with their mother, Queen Elizabeth
‘Wherever the Court went Charlotte went also.’
A few weeks after the King’s death, the Mail reported how Charlotte would ask, ‘where’s the Captain?’, whenever anyone entered his study at Buckingham Palace.
The Royal Family began taking part in pigeon racing in 1886, when Queen Victoria was given racing pigeons by Belgium’s King Leopold II.
There was also an aviary in the grounds of Royal Lodge. A photograph taken in 1940 shows the young Princess Elizabeth in the enclosure with several birds as her sister Margaret looked on with their mother, Queen Elizabeth.
Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret also handled carrier pigeons when they served in the Girl Guides.
In 2015, the Queen sanctioned a £40,000 renovation of the royal loft at Sandringham. The new residence included top-of-the-range nesting boxes for her pigeons.
Queen Alexandra with Charlotte, her son’s pet parrot
King George VI seen with his pet parrot Charlotte as he works in a tent in the garden at Buckingham Palace
The royal loft at Sandringham. In 2015, the Queen sanctioned a £40,000 renovation
King Charles’ decision not to take on the two patronages that were held by his mother was criticised by Paul Naum, treasurer of the National Flying Club.
He blamed the move on protests from animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which argues the sport is cruel.
He told the Observer: ‘We are so disappointed. We’ve always had a member of the royal family as our patron and we’ve always been proud of it. It’s a working man’s sport, and it’s taken that privilege away.
‘I think it’s PETA that’s done it. No matter what we seem to do, we always get back to a complaint about something. We know who’s behind it most of the time.’
The Queen began breeding budgerigars at Windsor after receiving a pair as a present when she was a young woman.
The colony of 100 birds fly free and return to their aviary at night.
However, His Majesty is said to be unsettled by their constant chirruping.
