Four people have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after the display case containing the Crown jewels in the Tower of London was seen covered in fruit crumble and custard.
The vault where the artefacts are displayed, known as the Jewel House, was temporarily closed to the public while police investigated the potential attack. A group called Take Back Power, who say they are campaigning for higher taxes on the rich, have claimed responsibility for the protest.
The group said in a statement posted online that two protesters covered the Crown Jewels storefront with custard and apple crumble around 9:50am on Saturday morning.
Protesters standing near the canceled Crown Jewels case Saturday morning (Take Back Power/PA) (Take Back Power/PA)
Footage shared by the group showed one demonstrator removing the large foil tray of crumble from a bag and smashing it against the glass protecting the Imperial State Crown.
Another then repeatedly poured a tub of bright yellow custard into the front of the case.
Activists then opened their coats to reveal T-shirt slogans reading “Take back the Power” before one shouted “Democracy is broken” and another shouted “Britain is broken. We came here for the nation’s jewels to take back power.”
Two activists also held a sign that said ‘Democracy Shattered – Tax the Rich’ in front of the storefront.
The statement of the group continued: “Until around 10:30, the two who take the action and two others were taken in custard-y by the police”.
Surprised tourists could be seen reacting to the stunt which took place on Saturday morning, while a worker of the Tower of London quickly approached shouting: “Sorry, sorry”, as she radioed for help.
Protest repeatedly threw a tub of bright yellow custard in front of the box (Take Back Control)
Take Back Power targeted the Ritz Hotel on Wednesday by emptying bags of manure near its Christmas tree. She said she carried out the stunt to call for the government to establish a permanent citizens’ assembly – “The People’s House” – with the power to “tax extreme wealth and fix Britain”.
The Police initially said that the Tower of London was closed to the public but clarified that it is only the Jewel House that will be closed.
Police Minister Sarah Jones said that the incident of the protest at the Tower of London was “outrageous”.
In a statement on X, Ms Jones said: “An outrageous incident this morning at the Tower of London. I am grateful to the police for their quick response and the full investigation, which is now underway.
“There is a clear difference between the democratic right to protest and unacceptable behaviour.”
The Metropolitan Police said officers arrived at the scene on Saturday morning following reports of criminal damage.
A spokesman for the force said: “Police were called at 09:48 on Saturday, December 6 to the Tower of London following reports of criminal damage to a display case, which contained the State Crown.
“It was reported that four protesters threw suspected food on the case before two left the scene.
People gather at the Tower of London’s exhibition of ceramic poppies, as the Tower marks Armistice Day. (PA)
“Officers worked closely with the City of London Police and security officers and four people were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. They were arrested.”
The Tower of London, built in 1070 by William the Conqueror, now attracts over three million visitors a year. The tower displays the Crown Jewels collection and the Coronation Regalia are at the heart of this exhibition.
This includes the Imperial State Crown, which is worn by the monarch at the end of the coronation ceremony and on formal occasions such as the opening of the state parliament.
Lighter than the Crown of St. Edward – the Coronation Crown – the Imperial State Crown was worn by the King as he left Westminster Abbey on the day of his coronation and during his appearance on the palace balcony.
It was originally made for the coronation of his grandfather George VI in 1937 and contains 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, four rubies and 269 pearls and weighs more than a kilogram.
Historic Royal Palaces, the independent charity that looks after the tower, said the Crown Jewels were not damaged in the incident.
She added that the tower was open to the public, and that the Jewel House, which contains the historical treasures, closed temporarily while the police investigated but has now reopened.