New ‘Beefeater’ parachutes into historic role at the Tower of London

Lee Fox, a former Pegasus Company Sergeant Major, has become the first member of the Parachute Regiment to take up the role of Yeoman Warder, or ‘Beefeater’, at the Tower of London. Yeoman Warder Lee Fox is the latest recruit to this historic role which dates back to 1485, and will join 34 other Yeoman Warders who live and work at the Tower of London. 

YW Lee Fox served over 23 years in the British Army, deployed on operational tours to Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan. Much of his time in the Army has been spent in Colchester at the heart of the Parachute Regiment, but his career has taken him all across the country, including Dover, Catterick and St Athan. Most recently, he served as part of the Parachute Training Support Unit at RAF Brize Norton, supporting parachuting across all three services including the Parachute Regiment and the wider Airborne forces. Lee grew up in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, and outside of his duties he is a keen runner and has a love for playing darts.

The role of Yeoman Warder, often known by the nickname ‘Beefeater’, originates from the band of warders who guarded the Tower of London and its prisoners from the reign of William the Conqueror in the 11^th century. The Yeoman Warders as they exist today 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 millions of visitors each year, sharing stories, carrying out ceremonial duties and leading their famous Yeoman Warder tours. 

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, before being selected for interview and a rigorous selection process.  

YW Lee Fox says: “It’s a huge honour and a privilege to be selected for this amazing position, especially as the first Parachute Regiment Yeoman Warder. I’ve had my eye on becoming a Yeoman Warder for years, so this experience has been quite surreal and I’m constantly in disbelief! It’s a bit strange to be living in central London, but my fellow Yeoman Warders have been instrumental in making me feel at home.”

Over the coming months, YW Lee Fox will learn ‘the Story’ – the script of the famous Yeoman Warder tour which must be learned verbatim before he will be permitted to lead his own tours of the Tower of London. He will also learn the 21 separate duties conducted by the Yeoman Body each day, including the ancient Ceremony of the Keys; the closing ceremony that has taken place every single night for at least 700 years. 

Yeoman Warder facts 

• As of October 2025, there are currently 35 Yeoman Warders at the Tower including the Chief Yeoman Warder and Yeoman Gaoler.  

• There are two uniforms for the Yeoman Body.  The famous scarlet and gold Ceremonial Uniform with red stockings and white ruff is worn for state occasions; for example, when the monarch visits the Tower or for any state occasion that the Body attends. On a typical day, visitors to the Tower will see the Yeoman Warders wearing their Blue Undress uniform, of different weights for summer and winter.  

• The sovereign’s initials have appeared on uniforms worn by Yeoman Warders since 1570, and the Blue Undress uniform was updated just before the Coronation in 2023 to bear the new cypher of King Charles III, as a continuation of this tradition. 

• The full job title is “Yeoman Warder of His Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress the Tower of London, and Yeoman of the Guard in Extraordinary”, but they are often known by the nickname ‘Beefeater’, the origins of which are lost to myth and legend. The most likely explanation is that Yeoman Warders were given a daily ration of meat for their duties. Records show that in 1813 the daily ration for the thirty men on duty was 24lbs of beef, 18lbs mutton and 16lbs of veal!