The Rise of Celebrity Duck Ownership in Britain
For animal enthusiasts, the latest trend among the wealthy and famous might ruffle a few feathers, but it is undeniably quackers. A growing number of celebrities are adopting ducks as fashionable pets, bringing a slice of countryside charm into their luxurious homes. This phenomenon is not just a passing fad; it is reshaping how status is perceived in 2026, moving beyond traditional symbols like cars and clothing to what resides by the garden pond.
Starry Duck Owners and Their Feathered Friends
Reality TV star Stacey Solomon, 36, recently introduced her Instagram followers to two new duck additions: Daisy and Delilah Solomon-Swash. These ducks reside at her Essex home, Pickle Cottage, alongside her husband Joe Swash and their five children. Solomon affectionately refers to the ducks as her soulmates, showcasing their cosy perch in her cottage through social media posts.
Luisa Zissman, another reality TV personality, has taken duck ownership to an extreme with 33 ducks, including breeds like Cayugas, Pekings, Indian Runners, and Aylesburys. She has named some of her ducks after notable figures, such as Boris Johnson, Nicki Minaj, and Cocomelon, though she sadly noted that Rishi Sunak died. Zissman documents her DuckTok life online and has even advised other celebrity owners, including Boris and Carrie Johnson, when one of their ducks fell ill.
Political and Celebrity Circles Embrace Duckling Mania
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson gifted duck eggs and an incubator to his wife Carrie for her 36th birthday, leading to the hatching of three ducklings in their Oxfordshire home. The Johnson family previously owned five ducks named Twiglet, Gherkin, Black Head, Turbo, and Pickle. Carrie shared updates on social media, expressing exhaustion but joy as the ducklings thrived.
Other high-profile figures have joined the trend. David and Victoria Beckham keep seven ducks at their Cotswolds estate, while celebrity chef Gino D'Acampo recently posted a video of newly hatched ducklings scampering over his chest as he lounged on a sofa, asking followers for name suggestions. Anna Williamson, presenter of Celebs Go Dating, has become a duck guru to the stars, supplying hatchlings to celebrities after acquiring ducks five years ago when she moved to a country home with a lake.
International Duck Enthusiasts and Expert Insights
The trend extends beyond Britain, with actress Amanda Seyfried, 40, keeping ducks on her farm in the Catskill Mountains of New York, and lifestyle mogul Martha Stewart including them in her extensive menagerie of animals, which ranges from horses to peacocks. This global interest highlights how ducks are transcending their traditional farmyard image.
Experts suggest that ducks offer a unique blend of low maintenance compared to larger livestock, coupled with highly shareable social media moments. Their waddling presence adds a touch of rustic elegance to celebrity lifestyles, making them ideal for viral content. Once dismissed as simple farm animals, ducks are now waddling into the upper echelons of celebrity culture, proving that in 2026, status is increasingly defined by what one keeps beside the garden pond rather than material possessions alone.
