Changing of the guard in London

Since 1485, the yeoman warders patrolling the Tower of London have been men. But officials said a woman was about to break into the ranks at the royal fortress.

The woman who will join the blue-and-red-uniformed warders, also known as beefeaters, was not identified but is a member of the military, as are the 35 others with whom she will serve, spokeswoman Natasha Woollard said. The woman warder is to replace a retiree in late summer.