The iconic Tower of London—a site steeped in centuries of British history—became the stage for a bizarre yet telling protest when activists hurled apple crumble and custard at the display case of the Imperial State Crown. While the glass held firm and the priceless crown emerged unscathed, the ripples from this sugary stunt reach far beyond the Jewel House. Let’s dig into what this all means for protest movements, the monarchy, and the British public.
Why This Matters
- Symbolic Targets, Symbolic Messages: The Imperial State Crown is more than just royal bling; it’s a living artifact of the British monarchy and national identity. Targeting it with dessert isn’t random—it’s a bold attempt to shake the foundations of power, tradition, and wealth.
- Escalation in Protest Tactics: As Just Stop Oil declares an end to direct action, offshoot groups like Take Back Power are stepping in, using spectacle and symbolism to keep the spotlight on their demands—this time, a citizens’ assembly to “fix Britain.” The move from soup on paintings to custard on crowns shows activists are hunting for ever-more headline-grabbing acts.
- Public Spaces and Heritage Under Pressure: The temporary closure of the Tower’s Jewel House is a reminder of how protests can disrupt not just politics but also tourism, heritage, and the everyday fabric of city life.
What Most People Miss
- It’s Not Random Dessert-Throwing: The use of crumble and custard is a pun: “Democracy has crumbled.” This is protest as performance art, designed to be meme-worthy and news-friendly.
- New Generation, New Methods: The emergence of Take Back Power on the heels of Just Stop Oil shows how activist energy doesn’t dissipate—it mutates. When one group steps back, another steps forward, often with a new message or sharper focus.
- The Real Target—Public Perception: These acts aren’t about damaging artifacts; they’re about capturing the narrative. In the age of social media, a viral video of custard on the Crown will reach more people than a quiet petition ever could.
Key Takeaways
- The Crown itself was unharmed, but the incident raises questions about balancing public access to heritage with security—a debate likely to intensify after this event.
- Activists are increasingly targeting symbols, not just policies, aiming to provoke national conversations about wealth, governance, and social justice.
- Law enforcement and public officials are drawing a firmer line between protest and criminality, as seen in the swift arrests and criticism from the policing minister.
Timeline of Recent Activist Escalations
- 2022-2023: Just Stop Oil makes headlines with acts like throwing soup at Van Gogh paintings and climbing onto motorway gantries.
- March 2024: Just Stop Oil announces an end to direct action tactics.
- June 2024: Take Back Power emerges, dumping manure in the Ritz hotel, then targeting the Crown Jewels days later.
Pros and Cons of High-Profile Protest Tactics
- Pros: Massive media coverage, sparks debate, puts pressure on institutions.
- Cons: Risk of public backlash, criminal charges, potential tightening of protest laws, disruption to innocent bystanders.
The Bottom Line
Whether you see it as a legitimate call for reform or a publicity stunt gone too far, this protest is part of a bigger story: how modern activism is evolving to challenge not just policies but the symbols and stories that define a nation.