‘Democracy has crumbled!’: Four arrested after apple crumble and custard thrown at Crown Jewels display in UK
Four people have been arrested after apple crumble and custard were thrown at Britain’s Crown Jewels display in the Tower of London.
Four people have been arrested after apple crumble and custard were thrown at a glass display case containing Britain’s priceless Crown Jewels in the Tower of London.
Police were called to the world-famous tower just before 10am on Saturday (8pm Saturday AEST) following reports of “criminal damage to a display case” containing the Imperial State Crown – worn by King Charles at major state events including his 2023 coronation ceremony and the State Opening of parliament.
“Officers worked closely with City of London Police and security officers and four people have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage,” London’s Metropolitan Police said in a statement.
Footage shared online shows a female protesters standing in front of the display case, containing the priceless crown, before she removed a large foil tray of apple crumble from a bag and tipped it on the glass.
A male protesters then poured a dish of yellow custard on the front of the display before a female staff member with a walkie-talkie attempted to intervene and radioed for help.
“Democracy has crumbled!” the female protester yelled, while the staff member attempted to block her from the camera.
“Britain is broken!” said the other protester.
“We’ve come here, to the jewels of the nation, to take back power,”
The pair later stood in front of the defaced display holding a banner reading “Democracy has crumbled – Tax The Rich”.
Self-proclaimed nonviolent civil resistance group, Take Back Power, has claimed responsibility for the stunt.
Both protesters in the footage wore T-shirts with “take back power” and a logo emblazoned on the front.
The group is “demanding that the UK government establish a permanent citizen’s assembly … which has the power to tax extreme wealth and fix Britain”, according to statement posted online.
The Jewel House in the tower was temporarily closed to the public during the police investigation but it has since reopened.
Latest stunt
The incident is the latest example of so-called direct action demonstrations, targeting cultural, sporting and other sites in Britain and beyond.
Stunts have included targeting Vincent van Gogh’s glass-protected “Sunflowers” painting with tomato soup and daubing Stonehenge with orange paint powder.
Take Back Power also targeted the Ritz Hotel on Wednesday (UK time), emptying bags of manure next to its Christmas tree.
The Crown Jewels were not damaged during its new stunt, the Historic Royal Palaces charity which manages the Tower of London said.
The Jewel House kept temporarily closed while police investigated, but reopened later on Saturday.
The Crown Jewels are Britain’s most precious treasures, including regalia used at coronations of new monarchs.
Comprising more than 100 objects and over 23,000 gemstones, they are considered “of incalculable cultural, historical, and symbolic value,” according to Historic Royal Palaces.
The Imperial State Crown alone, features 2,868 diamonds, 273 pearls, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds and five rubies.
The jewels are part of the Royal Collection, held in trust by the monarch for the nation.
Originally published as ‘Democracy has crumbled!’: Four arrested after apple crumble and custard thrown at Crown Jewels display in UK
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