Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London

The United Kingdom is very big on tradition, particularly those related to the monarchy. The Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London, a medieval fortress built by William the Conqueror in 1066, is a noteworthy example. This ceremony, which dates back centuries, involves securing all doors of the Tower of London. Visitors can escort the warden, provided they apply in advance.

However, this is more complex than simply locking a door. The Ceremony of the Keys includes the formal locking of the iconic gates at the Tower of London. This is essential because the Tower houses the Crown Jewels, and this tradition has been upheld every night for approximately seven centuries.

What Happens During the Ceremony

During the Ceremony of the Keys, the Chief Yeoman Warder is escorted around the Tower, locking all doors until he faces a “challenge” from the sentry, which he must answer before completing his task. Notably, the same dialogue has been consistently used for hundreds of years, only varying the name of the current monarch.

At precisely 9:30 p.m., 40 to 50 visitors are allowed to enter the Tower to witness this extraordinary ceremony.

Every evening, at exactly 9:52 p.m., the Chief Yeoman Warder, dressed in red and carrying a candle lantern in one hand along with the Queen’s Keys in the other, emerges from the Byward Tower.

He approaches Traitor’s Gate, where he meets with two to four members of the duty regiment, the Foot Guards, who accompany him throughout the ceremony. One soldier receives the lantern, and they march in step to the outer gate, with all guards and sentries saluting the Queen’s Keys as they pass.

The Warder locks the outer gate before returning to secure the oak gates of the Middle and Byward towers.

The procession then returns to Traitor’s Gate, where a sentry awaits. At this point, the traditional dialogue begins:

Sentry: “Halt, who comes there?”

Chief Yeoman Warder: “The keys.”

Sentry: “Whose keys?”

Warder: “Queen Elizabeth’s keys.”

Sentry: “Pass then; all’s well.”

The four men proceed to the Bloody Tower archway, ascending towards the broadwalk steps, where the main Guard is drawn up. Here, the Chief Yeoman Warder and his escort halt, and the officer in charge commands the Guard to present arms.

The Chief Yeoman Warder steps forward, raises his Tudor bonnet high in the air, and proclaims, “God preserve Queen Elizabeth.” The guard responds with “Amen,” precisely as the clock chimes 10 p.m., and “The Duty Drummer” sounds The Last Post on his bugle.

After the ceremony, the Chief Yeoman Warder returns the keys to the Queen’s House, and the Guard is then dismissed. A Yeoman Warder acts as a guide before and after the ceremony, providing insights into the Tower of London and its rich history. Visitors are escorted to the exit at 10:05 p.m.

Important Notes for Visitors

Attendance to the Ceremony of the Keys is free; however, you must arrange tickets online in advance. It’s advisable to secure your tickets as soon as possible, as they often fill up months or even a year in advance, with no waiting list available. Each party’s details must be submitted during the application. You can apply for groups of up to six between April 1 and October 31, and up to 15 between November 1 and March 31.

When attending, ensure to bring your original ticket issued by the Tower of London. Latecomers will not be permitted entry, thus punctuality is crucial for this event. Please note, there are no toilet or refreshment facilities available, and photography is not allowed during the ceremony.