The royal bees are notified of the death of the queen, what is behind the strange tradition

A strange ancient tradition requires the royal beekeeper to tell the palace bees that the queen is dead.

Through whispers, the insects have been informed that they have a new master, King Charles III, writes the Mirror.

The bitter news was delivered to the bees in the hives on the grounds of Buckingham Palace and Clarence House.

John Chapple, 79, the palace's official beekeeper, made the touching trip to the hives on Friday after news of the Queen's death.

Black ribbons were then tied with bows to the hives where thousands of bees live.

The ritual continued by telling them that the queen was dead and a new master would now be in charge. The bees were then encouraged to behave well with their new master, King Charles.

The unusual and ancient superstition is related to the belief that not informing the bees of a new owner would lead to them not producing honey, abandoning the hive or dying.