Ceremony of the Constable’s Dues

Very rarely, the Ceremony of the Constable’s Dues is conducted at the Tower of London by visiting military units. The ceremony dates back to when the Constable (senior officer) of the Tower of London would tax the goods carried by ships into the Port of London.

The Ceremony of the Constable’s Dues date back to 1381 when King Richard II issued a grant for every galley (boat/ship) passing the Tower of London must present two rundlets of wine, (one rundlet is approximately 68 litres).

Nowadays, the ceremony is conducted to present the Constable of the Tower of London with a barrel (keg) of wine or port.

On 14th March 2024 the Royal Marines conducted the Ceremony to mark their 360th anniversary year so it was very fitting the current Constable, General Sir Richard Messenger, was a Royal Marine and the first to have been installed as Constable of the Tower of London.

Click on the pictures for detailed captions.

The Royal Marines of 47 Commando loaded the barrel of port on to raiding craft to be taken from the nearby Royal Navy Reserves base HMS President up the River Thames to the Tower of London. As a Royal Navy Merlin AW101 helicopter flew overhead, the barrel was landed at Tower Pier and given over to the care of the Royal Marines shore party.

With the barrel of wine safely secured, suspended from an oar (spar) carried by two Royal Marines, the shore party marched off from the pier towards the front entrance of the Tower of London adjacent to the Middle Tower (the main tourist entrance).

As the Commandos approached the gate, it was slammed shut with the Yeoman Jailer shouting the challenge “Pray Sir, state your business” to which the Royal Marine Captain leading the parade replied “Royal Marines delivering the Constable’s Dues of wine”.

Having convinced the Beefeater that their intentions where friendly, the gate was opened to allow them entry to the Tower.

Escorted by the Yeoman Warders (Beefeaters) in their red State Ceremonial uniforms with King Charles’ cypher, the Royal Marines marched into the Tower of London proceeded by their band and the barrel of port suspended from the oar carried by two Royal Marines.

Entering through the Middle Tower, they crossed over the moat and through the Byward Tower to march along Water Lane. Turning left at the Lanthorn Tower took the parade into the inner sanctum and around the central White Tower then on to Tower Green.

Once on Tower Green, the barrel of wine was ceremonially presented to the Constable before the parade was marched off for photos and a reception.

The barrel of wine actually contained Port, a fortified wine, provided by Taylor’s Port.

A list of ships that have paid the Constable’s Dues is at the bottom of this page.

Beefeaters dressed in their red State Ceremonial uniforms march off from Tower Green carrying ceremonial historic weapons.

The Royal Marines march off from Tower Green.

After all the ceremonial was done, there was then time for a group photograph. Present in the picture are:

  • Royal Marines Cadets
  • Royal Marines
  • Royal Marines Band
  • Royal Marines veterans
  • Senior staff of the Royal Marines including the Commandant General
  • The Second Sea Lord
  • The Deputy Chief of the General Staff.
  • The Deputy of Governor of the Tower of London
  • The Constable of the Tower
  • Several officers from allied navies

Watching The Ceremony

I’d been wanting to see the Ceremony of the Constable’s Dues for years,, a London tradition I’d yet to see. Then, with a few days notice, the ceremony was announced.

The big day arrived and I arrived early at the Tower of London to get a prime viewing spot. The perimeter around Tower Green filled with tourists and then it was showtime.

The Triennial battle (every three years) between the Tower of London and All Hallows by the Tower church, is another infrequent ceremony. Hostilities break out every three years.


Filming for Channel 5’s “Inside the Tower of London”

So far (as of 2024), British TV station Channel Five has broadcast seven seasons of “Inside the Tower of London”. A film crew was there to film the day’s goings on for the popular documentary series.

Episode one of series 7 featured the preparations for day (broadcast 22nd November 2024). Episode two featured the day itself (broadcast 29th November 2024) showing the early morning practice before the Tower opened, and the reception afterwards for those who had taken part.

All episodes are available on My5 Streaming.


A light hearted moment after the formalities had concluded.


Ceremony of the Constable’s Dues – Picture Gallery

I took lots of pictures on the day, the best of which are in the gallery.


Naval Forces Who’ve Paid Constable’s Dues In Recent Years

A bit of Google research found the names of these military units who have paid the Constable’s Dues in recent years. The list has been created from captioned photographs and videos.

DateShipNavyType
18-Jul-2009USS HalyburtonUS NavyOliver Hazard Perry Class frigate
21-Jun-2010Latouche-TrévilleFrench NavyType F70 destroyer
25-Feb-2011HMS WestminsterRoyal NavyType 23 Frigate
28-Jan-2012HMS LiverpoolRoyal NavyType 42 Destroyer
19-Jul-2012 HMS OceanRoyal NavyLanding Platform Helicopter
10-May-2013HMS Illustrious
HMS Edinburgh
HMS Blythe
Royal NavyAircraft Carrier
Type 42 Destroyer
Sandown Class Mine Hunter
23-May-2014FGS NiedersachsenGerman NavyGerman Navy Bremen Class Frigate
23-Jun-20141 Assault Group Royal Marines (1AGRM)Royal Navy
27-Apr-2015HMS DefenderRoyal NavyType 45 Destroyer
15-Sep-2015HNLMS Johan de WittDutch NavyRotterdam Class Landing Platform Dock
15-May-2017HMS RichmondRoyal NavyType 23 Frigate
19-Nov-2018HMCS HalifaxCanadian NavyCanadian Navy Halifax Class Frigate
24-Jun-2019HMS EnterpriseRoyal NavyEcho Class Survey Vessel
13-Sep-2021HMS AlbionRoyal NavyAlbion Class Amphibious Ship
14-Mar-2024Royal MarinesRoyal Navy

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