A Yeoman Warder guiding a group of tourists around the Tower
The Yeomen Warders, also known as Beefeaters, are the ceremonial guards at the Tower of London. They normally wear a uniform of dark blue with red trimmings (as in the photo above), but when the Queen visits, or when the warders are on duty at a state occasion, they wear red and gold uniforms similar to those of the Yeomen of the Guard.
All warders are retired from the Armed Forces of Commonwealth realms and must be former senior non-commissioned officers with at least 22 years of service. The warders and their families live in tied accommodation inside the fortress paying council taxes and a portion of their salaries for rent. For an insight into life in the Tower, check out Londoners by Craig Taylor, a fascinating book that looks at the lives of a wide range of “normal” Londoners. If you want to meet one yourself, just join up with one of their tours of the Tower.
I should also point out that Beefeaters are not the ones that wear Bearskin hats. The tall, furry (and often not real bearskin anymore) hats belong to the Guards and can be seen at Buckingham Palace, not the Tower of London.
Standing guard atop a narrow boat at Little Venice
Linked to Tagged Y and ABC Wednesdays.
