London police stated that law enforcement arrived at the Tower of London this morning following reports of vandalism targeting the display containing the Imperial State Crown.
"Four protesters threw suspected food items at the display. Two people then left the scene", police said.
All four individuals were arrested. The Tower of London, which houses and displays British royal treasures, had to close and stop admitting tourists while police investigated the incident.
A group identifying as the civil resistance movement Take Back Power claimed responsibility for the incident. They stated that its members threw crumbled apple pie and custard at the glass display case. The group also posted a video of the incident on its social media account X.
In the video, they vandalized the display in front of tourists while criticizing democracy. "Democracy has fallen", the young woman shouted, while the man throwing custard said "Britain is broken" and "we have come to take back power".
The crown is usually worn by the British monarch at the end of a coronation ceremony or on formal occasions. The crown was worn by King Charles at his 2023 coronation and also appeared on Queen Elizabeth II's coffin during her lying-in-state and subsequent state funeral at Westminster Abbey.
Huyen Le (According to AFP, Daily Mail)
