A Co Antrim man is swapping one castle for another as he joins the ranks of the famous Beefeater guards at the Tower of London.
Ryan Brown, a former castle host at Hillsborough Castle, will join 34 other Beefeaters – officially named Yeoman Warders – who live and work at the Tower alongside their families.
Mr Brown grew up in Lisburn and served in the Royal Irish Regiment for 10 years, before transferring to the Royal Regiment of Artillery for a further 12 years.
He undertook operational tours in Northern Ireland, Kosovo and Afghanistan during his years in the armed forces, and he has been married to wife Lesley for 23 years, with whom he has two grown up children, Kyle and Genna.
After 22 years of service in the Army, YW Ryan Brown became a castle host at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens.
The official royal residence in Northern Ireland is cared for by Historic Royal Palaces, an independent charity which also manages the Tower of London.
He conducted tours of the state rooms and shared stories of the castle’s royal and political heritage.
The role of Yeoman Warder descends from the band of warders who guarded the Tower of London and its prisoners from the reign of William the Conqueror.
Ryan Brown
The Yeoman Warders were 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.
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. They have to undergo a rigorous selection and interview process.
Mr Brown said he is excited for the new role.
“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,” he said.
Over the coming months, Mr 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 night for 700 years.
New Yeoman Warders are ‘sworn in’ during a centuries-old ceremony. Then they drink a toast of port, served in an 18th-century pewter bowl.
Tradition requires the Chief Yeoman Warder to toast all new recruits with the words ‘may you never die a Yeoman Warder’.