Moira Cameron is Appointed as the First Ever Female Beefeater in the Tower of London

Beefeaters, or Yeoman Warders, have been employed by the British Sovereign since the very beginning of Henry VII's reign back in 1485. But the job has traditionally been given to men. In an astonishing break with centuries' old tradition however, the first female Beefeater, Moira Cameron, beat off competition from men to become the first ever female Beefeater to be employed at the Tower of London.

It is not easy to become a Beefeater at the Tower of London. In order to qualify for a job as a Beefeater, job applicants must have served at least 22 years in the British Armed Forces, attained the rank of Warrant Officer and received a good conduct discharge. Moira Cameron qualified on all fronts, having been recently discharged from the British Army.

In an interview given to BBC World News, Moira Cameron spoke to BBC correspondent Kathri Granasegram of her excitement at taking up this coveted job that has not been available to women up until now.

Cameron excitedly explained that she accepted the job of Beefeater back in December 2006, but was unable to take up the job until just recently, as she was still serving in the British Army at the time. She went on to say that on her first day on the job, she was followed around by camera crews as she unlocked the gates and carried out her first duties as a Beefeater.

Cameron said that she will continue to join her male counterparts as they carry out the daily Ceremony of the Keys. Beefeaters wear the red and blue uniform while performing their everyday duties at the Tower of London, with the ER (Elizabetha Regina, which is Latin for Elizabeth the Queen) insignia clearly visible on the front of their uniforms. Cameron said that as she gains in experience as a Beefeater, her duties will increase to include giving 20 minute presentations to tourists who come to the Tower of London and then on to guided tours.

Beefeaters must quickly acquaint themselves with the history of the Tower of London so that when they start giving tours they are able to answer any questions tourists may have on the history of this ancient building that has served as a fortress, palace and prison over the centuries.