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Historic Royal Palaces, the independent charity that looks after
unoccupied Royal palaces in the UK, are going to mark the 100th
anniversary of the First World War by placing 888,246 poppies
in the dry moat over the summer to create a work of art. The
poppies are made of ceramic, one for each British and Colonial
soldier who was killed during the war.
The first poppy was planted on 17th July by a Yeoman Warder of the
Tower of London, and over the next 3 months, 8,000 volunteers from
across the country will continue to plant poppies, with the last
one set to be installed on 11th November, Armistice Day.
Upon their arrival, William, along with his wife and brother, will
be greeted by the Lord Dannatt, Constable of the Tower of London.
They will also meet with the artists and designers who worked on
the installation, before each planting a poppy in the moat to mark
their visit.
From after the Royal visit, the ceramic poppies will be available
for purchase for £25 on the Historic Royal Palaces website.
Profits from the installation and sale of poppies will be shared
equally among six charities: COBSEO, Combat Stress, Coming Home,
Help for Heroes, Royal British Legion and SSAFA.
The poppy is a distinctive symbol of remembrance of the sacrifices
made during the World Wars and other war efforts. Poppies were
first associated with war when, in 1914, poppies were the only
plants that began to grow on the barren battlefields of Northern
France and Flanders, around the bodies of fallen soldiers. The
significance of the red flower was first recognised in John
McCrae’s poem, In Flanders Fields, and has since
become a memorial to those who lay down their lives for their
country.
Members of the Royal Family have been pictured wearing poppies in
their lapels on many occasions, most noticeably on Remembrance
Day.
Royal Central previously reported about the Tower of London’s
effort to mark the centenary of the First World
War.
Featured Photo credit: Mikepaws via photopin cc. Photo Credit: Historic
Royal Palaces. ]]>
Yeomen Warders
The Yeomen Warders of Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress the Tower of London, and Members of the Sovereign’s Body Guard of the Yeoman Guard Extraordinary, popularly known as the Beefeaters, are ceremonial guardians of the Tower of London. In principle they are responsible for looking after any prisoners in the Tower and safeguarding the British crown jewels, but in practice they act as tour guides and are a tourist attraction in their own right, a point the Yeoman Warders acknowledge.
In 2011, there were 37 Yeomen Warders and one Chief Warder.[1] All warders are retired from the Armed Forces of Commonwealth realms and must be former senior non-commissioned officers or petty officers with at least 22 years of service. They must also hold the Long Service and Good Conduct medal.
The Yeomen Warders are often incorrectly referred to as Yeomen of the Guard, which is actually a distinct corps of Royal Bodyguards.
I can’t find any info on what time the Cambridges will be at the Tower of London. Any tips for visiting on the day?
I would really like to know this too
The time is not for publication. I wish I had more information for you.
Our Deputy Editor Chloe Howard is at the Tower today and will have a full recap with photos later today.