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LONDON, Jan 3, 2007 (UPI via COMTEX) -- The Yeoman warders, also known as the beefeaters, at the Tower of London will have their very first woman inductee in September.
The guard was created in 1485 by Henry VII as private bodyguards and have never had a woman in their ranks. They have also since taken over the job of guiding the tower's 2 million visitors each year, reported The Mirror.
"This is not a gimmick. There were six candidates -- five of them men -- and the woman was simply the best one," a Tower spokesman told the newspaper.
And a Historic Royal Palaces source added: "The Tower of London is in the process of appointing its first female Yeoman Warder. It is part of the latest round of interviews to fill vacancies in the Tower's Body of Yeoman Warders. The successful candidate is serving in HM Forces and will join her new colleagues in summer 2007."
To become a beefeater, applicants must have served at least 22 years in the Queen's army, said the London Evening Standard.
URL: www.upi.com Copyright 2007 by United Press International
