Tonight, I went to the Tower of London’s Ceremony of the Keys. In order to be admitted, a letter needs to be sent off requesting a ticket months in advance. Jessica was so kind to send it off when we arrived in London and added me as her plus one.
This is a 700 year old tradition of locking up of the Tower of London every night, without fail. The Queen does not reside at the royal palace, but the Tower is home to Crown Jewels and many other valuables.
At exactly 9:53pm, the Chief Yeoman Warder, meets the Military Escort, which are made up of members of the Tower of London Guard. Together, they secure the main gates of the Tower. Walking away from the main gate, they are met by the sentry and challenged to identify themselves:
Sentry: Who comes there?
Chief Warder: The keys.
S: Whose keys?
CW: Queen Elizabeth’s keys.
S: Pass Queen Elizabeth’s Keys. All’s well.
(This part was quite dramatic. I looked from the left as the question was asked. Looked to the right at the soldier with gun drawn and ready for anything. Looked back to the left to hear who’s keys they belonged to before proceeding. I actually jumped. )
Then, the party makes its way through the Bloody Tower Archway into the fortress, where they stop at the bottom of the Broadwalk Steps. On the top of the Stairs, under the command of their Officer, the Tower guard present arms and the Chief Warder raises his hat, proclaiming:
CW: God preserve Queen Elizabeth.
S: Amen!
The keys are taken to the Queen’s House for safekeeping and the Last Post is sounded. Such history.
Slomowitz.. You should have either tackled or punched the sentry.. Hope you’re doing well.. Much love, Brian