Great Britain Food attack on the crown jewels: Protest with custard
It was a normal Saturday morning, dozens of tourists were walking reverently through the darkened exhibition rooms with the British crown jewels in the Tower of London. But suddenly someone unpacks a tray of cakes and spreads the contents over the Imperial State Crown display case. A second activist pours a liquid after it, presumably vanilla sauce. A protest action could hardly be more symbolic for the United Kingdom.
06.12.2025, 14:42
SDA
The fledgling activist group "Take Back Power" published a video of the action on the Instagram platform at midday, which appears to be genuine. The police announced that four people had been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage to property. The Tower was temporarily closed for the investigation, and later only the exhibition rooms of the Crown Jewels.
According to the activists, apple crumble was smeared on the display case. They wrote on Instagram: "Democracy has crumbled": Democracy has crumbled. "Billionaires buy political influence while homeless people die on the streets," the group wrote.
No signs of rioting
The police were called to the world-famous exhibition shortly before ten o'clock UK time. They had received reports that food was believed to have been thrown at the display case containing the crown, the officers said. The immaterial value of the Crown Jewels and in particular the State Crown for the United Kingdom cannot be quantified - they are priceless.
So far, however, there is no indication that the crown has been damaged and the display case has not been destroyed. The Tower actually has high security standards and visitors have to pass through an admission control. A ticket for adults costs a good 40 euros.
The video suggests that there was no particular commotion in the room during the action. A security guard steps in and speaks into her radio. The activist group describes itself as a non-violent, civil resistance movement.
Demands to the government
The Telegraph newspaper published excerpts from the video, and the PA news agency also quoted the activist group. The group stated that it was a protest action against the government with demands including a tax on large fortunes.
Millions of people visit the Tower of London every year. The crown jewels are the highlight of the exhibition. The State Crown is the crown worn by the monarch after the coronation. It is also used on other occasions, including the opening of Parliament. It was last worn by the reigning King Charles III, who was crowned in May 2023.
The State Crown is slightly lighter than the Coronation Crown - the St. Edward's Crown. It was made in 1937 and is set with 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, 269 pearls and 4 rubies.
