LONDON, Sept 3: The first female beefeater at the Tower of London, whose appointment overturned more than 500 years of tradition, smiled broadly as she met her new colleagues on Monday.

Moira Cameron, 42, beat five men to the prestigious position and became the first female ever appointed to the famous ceremonial guard.

“This place is magical. It’s just a wonderful job and I’m very, very lucky to have it,” she told reporters, calling it a “great privilege” to work and live in the Tower.

“You wake up in the morning and you know you’re going to have a good day,” she added.

Yeomen warders, or beefeaters, are a familiar sight to tourists in their red and gold uniforms. They guard the landmark tower and the British crown jewels within, but also act as tour guides and are an attraction in their own right.

Like the other 35 beefeaters, Cameron, from Argyll in western Scotland, has served the minimum 22 years in the armed forces and boasts a long service and a good conduct medal.—AFP