The most iconic uniform in London

Second female Yeoman Warder uniform, with AJ Clark

Date: 07 March 2025

Author: Yeoman Warder AJ Clark

The Yeoman Warders at the Tower of London, known colloquially as ‘Beefeaters’, are the Sovereign's Bodyguard. Yeoman Warder Amanda Jayne (AJ) Clark joined the Yeoman Bodyguard in 2017, making her the second female ‘Beefeater’ in history. AJ has donated her uniform worn during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, to the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection and it is soon due to go on display in Dress Codes at Kensington Palace.

Here, AJ talks us through the uniform and what it means for this iconic item to be going on public display.

A woman wearing a dark blue uniform with 'CIIR' emblem on the front — Image: Yeoman Warder Amanda Jayne (AJ) Clark in her uniform created on the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III. AJ's uniform worn during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II is going on display in Dress Codes at Kensington Palace. © Historic Royal Palaces

Watch: How The Beefeaters Got Their Uniforms with AJ Clark

Video transcript

Follow along with an interactive transcript of this video on YouTube. A link to the transcript can be found in the description.

My name is Amanda Jayne (AJ) Clark and I am a Yeoman Warder, also known as a Beefeater. I live and work inside the Tower of London as the Sovereign’s Bodyguard, ensuring the safety of the Crown Jewels and visitors to this royal palace.

I joined the Yeoman Body in 2017 after finishing 25 years of military service in the Army. All of the Yeoman Warders are veterans, having served at least 22 years in the Armed Forces. We have all reached the rank of Warrant Officer or their service equivalent in the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and Royal Marines. We've all been decorated with the Long Service and Good Conduct medal for meritorious service.

I am the second female in history to hold this prestigious position and I am very proud that four more wonderful women have joined me at the Tower of London.

Even today it is still very exciting being one of very few women to hold this position. When I applied for the vacancy, I didn’t realise the impact it would have on me being the second female, after 10 years of Moira Cameron being here. There was a lot of media attention and even today people are still shocked when they see a female dressed in the uniform! But it’s a nice shock!

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A dark blue uniform with bright red piping, comprising of coat with 'EIIR' on the front, topped with a flat hat

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Second ever female Yeoman Warder uniform

This Yeoman Warder uniform was worn by Yeoman Warder Amanda Jayne (AJ) Clark during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

I am very humbled and proud to have my uniform represented in the Dress Codes exhibition at Kensington Palace. It shows how women have come an extraordinarily long way in representing our society through the years at the court of kings and queens.

To have my uniform preserved as part of the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection is a very proud moment for me and my colleagues in the Yeoman Body. Our uniform represents the symbol of the Sovereign’s Bodyguard. Being able to showcase this version to the public now and to future generations fills me with pride. Not only does it reflect my service to the crown, it shows how far women have come in a male-dominated environment. It proves we are made of stern stuff!