THE new Constable of the Tower of London has taken up his new post this week after a ceremony in the rain. General Sir Richard Dannatt was formally handed the Queen’s Keys’ to look after Britain’s most famous royal palace and the Crown Jewels
THE new Constable of the Tower of London has taken up his new post this week after a ceremony in the rain.
General Sir Richard Dannatt was formally handed 'the Queen's Keys' to look after Britain's most famous royal palace and the Crown Jewels in the ceremony on Tower Green.
He was installed as the 159th Constable of The Tower when he was handed the gold master keys on a purple cushion by the Lord Chamberlain on behalf of The Queen, symbolising the constable's responsibility for the ancient site as head of the yeoman warders, or beefeaters.
The post is one of the most ancient offices in England going back to William the Conqueror in the 11th century. The role is for a period of five years.
The ceremony took place last Thursday evening in front of 600 guests, including community groups from London's East End.
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