Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London

28th June 2025

On a gloriously warm Saturday evening, 28 June, at the invitation of our Beadle, Yeoman Warder Wayne Glyn, [xxx] members of our Company and their guests were hugely privileged to be among the very few to attend the nightly Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London – a tradition steeped in over seven centuries of history and one of the oldest surviving military ceremonies in the world.

Sadly, Wayne was unable to join us, having recently come off second best in a biking altercation with a wall. While he recovers, Yeoman Warder Nev Dednum kindly stepped in to do the honours. In true Beefeater tradition, Nev began the evening with an insightful and entertaining introduction to the Tower’s rich history and the enduring significance of the Ceremony. He then led us on a private tour inside the walls, guiding us through the history of the ancient buildings and recounting the (often horrific and bloody) events that have taken place there since William the Conqueror first established his white fortress on the edge of the Thames. History was embellished with stories of French elephants, murdered princes and an opportunity to see the famous ravens in their night-time quarters.

A particular highlight was the opportunity once again to see the striking porcelain poppy displays, originally part of the WW1 remembrance in 2014 but now reimagined and reinstalled at the Tower to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

After our tour we enjoyed a visit to the Warders’ Bar, generously hosted by the Master and his Consort, along with the opportunity to take part in the “traditional” fundraising raffle.

Then, as night fell, we were ushered towards Traitors’ Gate, where we gathered in respectful silence to witness the Ceremony itself. The ancient gates of the Tower were secured in the precise ritual that has taken place every night, without fail, for more than 700 years. The Chief Yeoman Warder, dressed in his traditional red coat and Tudor bonnet, emerged from the Byward Tower carrying a lantern in one hand and the King's Keys in the other and flanked by members of the Irish Guards in scarlet tunics and black busbys. The ancient lantern has been used in this ceremony every night since it was given to the Tower in 1919 by the Honourable Artillery Company. The glow of its single candle as the party approached in the gathering dusk lent a quiet dignity to the proceedings, punctuated by the sound of army boots on cobbles, the crisp commands of the guard and the shout of the sentry issuing the traditional challenge. The Tower clock chimed ten as the party passed through the Bloody Tower archway and ascended the steps to the Inner Ward to announce that all was safely secured for the night. It was a truly memorable experience.

After the Ceremony, we were invited back to the Warders’ Bar before eventually making our way out of the Tower, escorted by a Yeoman Warder who unlocked—and then relocked—the ancient gates behind us. We learned, intriguingly, that there are no keyholes on the exterior: the Tower can only be locked and unlocked from within.

Our sincere thanks go to Wayne for arranging the event and to Nev and all the Yeoman Warders for their warm welcome, and for preserving such an important part of our national heritage. It was an honour to witness history in motion – a powerful reminder of the rich continuity that underpins the City of London and its institutions.

And finally – get well soon, Wayne!