Securing the Tower of London…
Every night at exactly 9:53 pm, the gates of the Tower of London are locked in a ritual that’s been running for nearly 700 years — the Ceremony of the Keys.
Hi there lovely readers,
And, at exactly 7pm, we assembled in our refinery — dress shoes essential (the boys moaning after days in sneakers!) — and reverently followed our guide over the moat, past glowing fields of poppies, the raven’s luxurious home, and into the bowels of the Tower.
Led by the Chief Yeoman Warder (yes, one of the famous Beefeaters), we were regaled with the bloody yet fascinating history of the Tower: the warders’ homes, their duties, the lavishly feathered ravens, tales of ghosts and of discovery in 1674 of the remains of two young missing princes, thought to have been murdered by Richard the III, their heritage yet to be proven until current royalty agree to DNA testing (requests declined by the late Queen and now King Charles)
Over drinks at their mess, we learned that all Yeoman Warders are retired Warrant Officers (and above) from the Armed Forces. The big G and our buddy chuffed to hear this, given they too were former Warrant Officers and the three of us there thanks to the request of our London host, himself the Australian Attaché to the Navy. The Yeoman Warders are part historian, part storyteller, part tourist-wrangler — with a generous dash of humour — which makes them the perfect keepers of this nightly ritual.
And then… the Keys
At last, lantern in one hand and the King’s Keys in the other, our Yeoman Warder strode out with his Foot Guard escort to begin the rounds. The air was electric as we filed behind until we reached the Bloody Tower archway.
“Halt! Who comes there?”
“The Keys.”
“Whose Keys?”
“King Charles’s Keys!”
And with that, the gates were locked, the keys returned to the Kings House, and the Last Post echoed through the Tower. Ten minutes, a lifetime of tradition. No photos. Respect.
This ritual has been carried out without fail for centuries — interrupted just once, in 1940, when a bomb blast blew the Chief Warder clean off his feet. He picked himself up, dusted off, lantern still lit, and carried on. How’s that for the stiffest of stiff upper lips?
Top 5 Fun Facts about the Ceremony of the Keys
1. The Oldest Military Ritual in the World — It’s been performed nightly for over 700 years. Historically, crucial for protecting monarchs who resided in the Tower and preventing prisoners from escaping. While no longer a royal residence, it continues to safeguard valuable artefacts, including the Crown Jewels.
2. Boom! Carry On — Only once interrupted, in WWII, when a bomb threw the Warder off his feet. He finished anyway.
3. Military Precision — It always starts at exactly 9:53 pm. Not 9:52. Not 9:54.
4. No Latecomers — Miss your slot and that’s it — not even the King’s Keys will get you in.
5. Free, But Coveted — It costs nothing to attend, but you’ll need to apply well in advance.
After battling sunburnt crowds by day, the Tower by night felt ethereal — shadows whispering through the cobblestones, every step echoing with centuries of history.
