I live in the Tower of London – I have to be home by midnight and the tourists mistake me for a princess

MEGAN Clawson, 23, is a writer, tutor, and TV and film extra.

She lives in London with his father Chris, 54, a Beefeater.

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“As the sunlight streamed into my room, I yawned, sat up in bed and immediately pulled the covers over my head when I saw a group of curious tourists staring at me.

“It’s one of the few downsides to living in one of the county’s biggest tourist attractions, Tower of London.

“Built in the 1070s William the Conqueror as a fortress that later became both a prison and home to kings and queens, it has stood in the center of the capital ever since, guarded by Yeoman Guards, also known as Beefeaters.

“My father Chris applied to become a Beefeater in 2018 after completing the required 22 years in armed forces and was awarded the “For years of service and good conduct” medal.

“After numerous interviews, he was very surprised to learn that he had been given a place as one of only 32 Yeoman Wardens – and that as part of the job he could live in a two-bedroom house in the Tower grounds.

“My parents separated a few years ago and I lived with my mother and older brother Lincolnshirebefore moving to the capital to complete a degree in English and film at King’s College London.

“While I was living in the student halls of residence, I would often visit my dad and bring my laundry to the Tower to use his washing machine.

“When quarantine in March 2020, I was struggling and missing my parents, so as soon as the restrictions were lifted the following year, I asked my dad if I could come live with him and he agreed.

“At first it was strange to follow in the footsteps of kings and queens, especially because so many people have been executed there throughout history.

“But I quickly got into the habit of taking my dog ​​Ethel, a tabby, for a run in the moat, and opening the huge iron doors, which were supposed to have been installed Henry VIII.

“The Tower was still closed to the public at the time, so I was able to write my thesis in the silence of the Tower walls, with only the rest of the community living there – and the famous ravens, which Ethel was a little wary of when we went for a play in the moat !

“So it was a shock when tourists were finally able to visit the Tower and I realized they were looking right into my bedroom.

“But once I bought the curtains, I loved the daily chatter of people from all over the world marveling at my house.

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“When I was walking around the grounds, I lost count of how many times I was asked if I was a princess!

“However, there are some practical things I’ve had to get used to.

“For security reasons, we have to be back in the Tower by midnight, and if I’m going to be out later, I have to let the guards know and they’ll wait to let me through.

“The Ceremony of the Keys – the ceremonial closing of the gates – takes place every evening between 9.30pm and 10pm and no one is allowed to leave or enter the grounds during this period.

“When I order something online, it can be complicated – there are so many delivery driver get confused as to where the Tower actually is!

“And if I order a take it awayI have to run from my house through the area and find the driver in the driveway he is on.

“When people ask where I live in London, I often just say ‘Tower Hill’ because I don’t like to brag.

“But when they find out, friends usually take it in stride.

“While I was at university I met my boyfriend George, who is in the Scots Guards so is often away for months at a time.

“But when he comes back, I spend as much time with him as possible.

“There are a lot of families living in the Tower, as well as a few people my age, and we often have a drink together at The Keys, our own private pub in the Tower grounds.

“Since graduating, I’ve worked as an extra in TV and film, building my own TikTok channel where I show subscribers behind the scenes of the Tower and also write a novel.

“I thought it would be really fun to write a fictionalized romantic comedy about a girl who also lives in the Tower.

“The Tower of London was once a notorious prison, but it’s home to me.

“I know one day I’ll have to leave, but for now I’m enjoying living in one of the most historic buildings in the country.

• Falling Hard For The Royal Guard by Megan Clawson (£8.99, Avon) is out now.

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