(MOD) Army Chief to be next Tower of London Constable

As Constable of the Tower of London, a ceremonial role dating back to the eleventh century, General Sir Richard will be the Queen's representative within the Tower of London and its formal custodian.

Since 1784 the Constable has always been a senior military officer. Today, the role of Constable is conferred upon Field Marshals or retired Generals with distinguished service and is expected to be for a period of five years.

General Sir Richard Dannatt will be installed formally as Constable in a ceremony to be held at the Tower of London in autumn 2009 and will succeed the current incumbent General Sir Roger Wheeler GCB CBE, whose appointment expires on 31 July 2009. The installation of a new Constable takes place on Tower Green within the Tower and involves the Lord Chamberlain, as the monarch's representative, handing the Tower's golden keys to the Constable, as a symbol of his custodianship.

General Sir Richard said:

"I am delighted to be appointed as the next Constable of Her Majesty's Palace and Fortress, the Tower of London, following in the footsteps of some particularly illustrious forebears. It is a considerable honour and I look forward with relish to undertaking the duties and responsibilities of this historic office."