New Yeoman Warder appointment

Thursday 24 October 2024

Ryan Brown from Lisburn, in Northern Ireland, will be trading the picturesque gardens of Hillsborough Castle for medieval towers and battlements as he becomes the newest Yeoman Warder at the Tower of London. He will join 34 other Yeoman Warders who live and work at the Tower, alongside their families.

Yeoman Warder Ryan Brown grew up in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, and served in the Royal Irish Regiment for 10 years, before transferring to the Royal Regiment of Artillery for a further 12 years of service. YW Brown undertook operational tours in Northern Ireland, Kosovo and Afghanistan during his years in the armed forces, and he has been married to his wife Lesley for 23 years, with whom he has two grown up children, Kyle and Genna.

Uniquely, following his 22 years of service in the British Army, YW Ryan Brown became a Castle Host at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, the official royal residence in Northern Ireland which is cared for by Historic Royal Palaces – the independent charity which also manages the Tower of London. There he conducted tours of the State Rooms and shared stories of the castle’s royal and political heritage, experience which YW Brown will be able to bring to his new role at the Tower.

The role of Yeoman Warder, also known by the nickname ‘Beefeater’, descends from the band of warders who guarded the Tower of London and its prisoners from the reign of William the Conqueror. The Yeoman Warders as they exist today were officially created in 1485 by Henry VII as an extension of his personal protection, and to this day continue to hold a traditional ceremonial role as Extraordinary Members of The King’s Bodyguard. Today they help to bring the Tower’s history alive for nearly three million visitors each year, leading their famous Yeoman Warder tours and sharing myths and legends from almost 1000 years of history.

Applicants for the role of Yeoman Warder of His Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress the Tower of London, must have served at least 22 years in the armed forces, hold the Long Service and Good Conduct medal, and have reached the rank of Warrant Officer or equivalent, before being selected for interview and a rigorous selection process.

YW Brown says of his appointment as a Yeoman Warder, “It’s an honour and privilege to be a member of the Yeoman Body and is there is so much more to the role than you can imagine. This is the fulfilment of a boyhood dream.”

Over the coming months, YW Ryan Brown will learn ‘the Story’ – the script of the famous Yeoman Warder Tour – before being allowed to lead his own tours of the Tower of London. He will also take on the 21 separate duties conducted by the Yeoman Warders each day, including the ancient Ceremony of the Keys; the ceremonial locking up of the Tower which has taken place every single night for 700 years.

Yeoman Warder facts

• As of October 2024, there are currently 35 Yeoman Warders at the Tower including the Chief Yeoman Warder and Yeoman Gaoler.
• There are two uniforms for the Yeoman Body. On a typical day, visitors to the Tower will see the Yeoman Warders wearing their blue undress uniform, of different weights for summer and winter. The iconic Ceremonial Uniform is only worn for state occasions; for example, when the monarch visits the Tower or for any state occasion that the Body attends. It is scarlet and gold with red stockings, white ruff and black shoes.
• The sovereign’s initials have appeared on uniforms worn by Yeoman Warders since 1570, and YW Ryan Brown will bear the cypher of King Charles III on his Blue Undress uniform, updated just before the Coronation in 2023 as a continuation of this tradition.
• Nobody is exactly sure where the nickname ‘Beefeater’ came from, although there are plenty of myths and legends associated with its origins. The most likely explanation is that Yeoman Warders were given a daily ration of meat for their duties. Records show that in 1813 the daily ration for the thirty Yeoman Warders on duty was 24lbs of beef, 18lbs mutton and 16lbs of veal!

Notes to Editors

For further information and images please contact Jessica England in the Historic Royal Palaces Press Office via jessica.england@hrp.org.uk / 020 3166 6166

Historic Royal Palaces is a team of people who love and look after six of the most wonderful palaces in the world. We create space for spirits to stir and be stirred. We want everyone to feel welcome and accepted. We tell stories about the monarchs you know and the lives you don’t. We let people explore and we set minds racing. We are a charity and your support gives the palaces a future, for everyone.  

Registered charity number 1068852. For more information visit www.hrp.org.uk