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The Crown Jewels come first on England match night

News imageBBC A man in a black-and-red ceremonial uniform stands beside another man in an England football shirt seated at a desk inside a historic stone room with a large fireplace and coat of arms above it.BBC
Yeoman Warders, commonly known as Beefeaters, have guarded the Tower of London since Tudor times

England may have had a World Cup match to win this evening, but at the Tower of London work does not stop for the Beefeaters tasked with guarding the Crown Jewels.

As fans across the country prepared to watch England's clash with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Yeoman Gaoler John Donald said the Tower's centuries-old responsibilities would continue largely uninterrupted.

He told the BBC: "I'm a massive football fan, have been since I was a schoolboy, love playing football but unfortunately duty must come first.

"We have an ultimate responsibility of guarding the Crown Jewels and looking after our visitors so yes I will be on duty, but I'm going to be keeping an ear out."

The former soldier, who joined the Tower in 2014 after a 28-year military career, said football had always been a huge part of his life.

"I've been very lucky, very honoured to have done what I've done over the last 40 years in uniform."

He is second-in-command of 25 Yeoman Warders, the ceremonial guardians better known as Beefeaters.

Their duties include welcoming visitors, leading guided tours, guarding the Crown Jewels and maintaining overnight watches after the attraction has closed to the public.

A warder remains on duty throughout the night as a watchman.

News imageClose-up of smiling man wearing a black-and-red ceremonial uniform and hat standing outside in front of a stone castle wall and wooden staircase.
Yeoman Gaoler John Donald joined the Tower of London in 2014

The Tower's most famous ceremonial duty, the Ceremony of the Keys, also takes place regardless of what else is happening in the country.

Donald explained it has been carried out "every night without fail for over 700 years" and involves the ceremonial locking of the main gates of the fortress.

"It only takes roughly ten minutes but we've done it every night without fail irrespective of the conditions, irrespective of what's going on in the world at that time. It's a solemn duty to ensure that's carried out."

Although Wednesday's 17:00 BST kick-off did not affect proceedings, later matches have never led to the ceremony being rushed, delayed or rearranged.

News imageThe two men in the historic room watch the game and react with a shout. A fireplace with a crest bearing the words “Dieu et Mon Droit” is visible behind them.
While duties at the Tower of London come first, the Yeoman Warders takes the opportunity to follow England's match whenever time allows

When asked whether colleagues would be able to follow the match, Donald said staff could do so provided their duties came first.

He said: "They will be safe and sound during the start of the match and then as soon as the crown jewels are locked away for the evening, then I'm sure we can relax and go watch the game."

News imageTwo men watch a television showing an England football screen inside a stone-walled room with arched ceilings and wooden furniture.
While duties at the Tower of London come first, the Yeoman Warders takes the opportunity to follow England's match whenever time allows

England supporters were eventually rewarded for their patience and no doubt the team at the Tower were delighted.

After Brian Cipenga gave the Democratic Republic of Congo an early lead, Harry Kane rescued England from the brink of a shock World Cup exit.

He equalised in the 75th minute before scoring a dramatic winner in the 86th to seal a 2-1 comeback victory.

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