The Queen’s Beekeeper
I have just found out that the Queen has a beekeeper. Why has no one told me before?!
John Chapple maintains hives at Buckingham Palace, Clarence House (Prince Charles’s residence), Lambeth Palace (Archbishop of Canterbury residence) plus some 40 hives in London’s’ Royal Parks.
He clearly knows how to look after a Queen or two.
Photo by Scott Munro at Lightworks.tv Ltd
Do I Have Anything In Common With John?
Well … we’re both beekeepers, have beards and wear Sherriff bee suits (external link). That’s good enough for me.
Where our similarities diverge is that he’s an expert beekeeper, his beard is more impressive, my Sherriff beesuit is khaki and I’ve read that he barely flinches when stung by a bee, whilst I will definitely say something.
Maybe, one day, I’ll be a bit more like John.
Top 3 Reasons I’m Being Stung Less Often
I wrote about my Fear Of Bees for the April 2015 issue of the BBKA News and you may be wondering how my season is going from a “being stung” perspective.
Well. The good news is that I have only been stung once so far, when the suit and shirt I was wearing were stretched tight across my back and a bee managed to get his stinger in.
The reasons I am being stung less are mainly down to the following:
- I’m less of an idiot and don’t attempt to do anything with the bees unless fully kitted out (suit, gloves, boots)
- My bees are a lot more gentle this year
- My new Apiarist Sherriff beesuit has proved bee tight and given me more confidence and pleasure working with the bees. No bees in my bonnet yet.
Read More
- Post: Fear Of Bees article, links to my bee sting posts
- Page: My journey through economy half suits to this quality full suit
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I was sat next to John at the Ealing apiary just this Saturday! I have some photos from a great day out keeping bees with him, click here.
Glad you are getting stung less 🙂
Male bees (drones) cannot sting you. So you were stung by a female worker!
Hi and well done you John Chappell ????
? ‘Queen Bee’?
Her Bees are all in mourning ?
Their boss is now no longer
She’s left the hive that was so alive
Now slipped just over yonder ??
King Charles now takes the reins
To produce the Royal Honey ?
The Bees will soon accept him
Cos they need to earn their money ??
It’s an old Royal tradition
That will keep making history
Her majesty’s gone but never forgotten
Cos she’s our own Queen Bee ? ??????
By Mickey Bee ? 2022.
We are looking for some speakers for our Norwich Beekeeping group. During the colder months we hold our meetings online. Would love to get the royal beekeeper invited along. Can you pass my details over to him please?
I’m sorry I don’t have his contact details.