The Ceremony of the King's Keys (colour photo)

The Ceremony of the King's Keys. The Tower of London has nightly witnessed the historic Ceremony of the Keys for many centuries. The Chief Warder, bearing the keys and accompanied by an escort, locks various gates of the Tower. At the arch of the Bloody Tower, he answers the sentry's challenge "Halt! Who comes there?" with the reply "The Keys." "Whose Keys?" "King George's Keys" replies the Chief Warder, and the sentry then passes the party with the words, "Advance, King George's Keys; all's well." The party proceeds to the guardroom, where the guard turns out and presents arms. The Chief Warder, stepping forward and removing his hat, calls out "God preserve King George!" to which all reply "Amen." Illustration for one of a set of 50 cigarette cards on the subject of Interesting Customs and Traditions of the Navy, Army and Airforce issued by Lambert & Butler in 1939.