Ceremony of the Keys – 29 November 2019

Friends, partners and 'significant others' joined Guild members to enjoy dinner together at Byward Kitchen & Bar in the shadow of the Tower of London (I would recommend this - lovely food and nice staff) - prior to walking to the Tower for admission at 21.00. There we witnessed the 'Ceremony of the Keys'.

This has taken place every single day for over 700 years - it is simply the locking up of the Tower for the night but as we English love to do, there is a little tradition attached!

Sentry: "Halt! Who comes there?"

Chief Warder: "The keys".

Sentry: "Whose keys?"

Chief Warder: "Queen Elizabeth's keys"

Sentry: "Pass Queen Elizabeth's Keys. All's well"

We were very lucky with the weather; it was still and mild. Everyone was humbled by the majesty of the venue and the spine-tingling feeling of watching something so ancient and part of our heritage - no-one was in a rush to go home. It had been such a lovely evening meeting old friends and new whilst enjoying a wonderful tradition all together.

Many thanks to Annie and Geoff for organising this superb outing.

Hilary Brian