The Ceremony of the Keys

One of London’s most timeless ceremonies, dating back 700 years is the ceremony of the keys which takes place at the Tower* of London. At 21:53 each night the Chief Yeoman Warder of the Tower, dressed in Tudor uniform, sets off to meet the Escort of the Key dressed in the well-known Beefeater* uniform. Together they tour the various gates ceremonially locking them. On returning to the Bloody Tower archway they are challenged by a sentry:

"Who goes there?" - "The Keys." answers The Chief Warder. - "Whose Keys?" the sentry demands. - "Queen Elizabeth's Keys." - "Pass Queen Elizabeth's Keys. All's well."

A trumpeter then sounds the Last Post before the keys are secured in the Queen’s House.

_______________

*Tower (of London) - Лондонский Тауэр

*Beefeater - бифитер (солдат охраны лондонского Тауэра); бифитер (лейб-гвардеец дворцовой стражи)