Today, Monday 3 September 2007, Yeoman Warder Moira Cameron, the first female Beefeater, marks the start of a new chapter in the Tower of London’s 1000-year-old history by starting work onsite at the Tower in uniform. The blue undress uniform is worn day-to-day by the Yeoman Warders at the Tower – the scarlet and gold State Dress is only worn on State occasions and takes many months to make.

Since joining the Body of Yeoman Warders at the Tower of London in July 2007, Yeoman Warder Moira Cameron has undergone the rigorous training and induction common to all new Yeoman Warders.  This included becoming familiar with each of the 21 separate duties that the Yeoman Warders do each and every day, practising the duties for the Ceremony of the Keys which takes place every night of the year, and learning the Tower’s 1000-year history so she can take her own Beefeater Tour.

Yeoman Warder Moira Cameron said: “Working here at the Tower of London is absolutely amazing, I feel so privileged to be here and it’s great to be in the uniform at last. I’m still getting used to wearing it but it certainly makes you stand very straight!”

Chief Yeoman Warder John Keohane said: “Yeoman Warder Cameron has been with us for a few weeks now and I can see she already has built up a great rapport with our visitors. Now that she is in exactly the same uniform doing exactly the same duties as her male colleagues, I think she will prove a great asset to the Tower and a valuable member of my team.” 

Over the next few months Yeoman Warder Cameron will learn by heart the Story - the script of the hugely popular Yeoman Warder Tour - before being allowed to lead a Tour herself. The hour-long Tour covers the myths, legends, stories and key events in the Tower’s history.