LONDON (AP) — Four protesters were arrested Saturday for spilling food on a display case of the Tower of London’s priceless diamond-encrusted crown.
The Crown Jewels display was temporarily closed after members of a group called Take Back the Power smeared apple crumble and poured yellow custard – two staples on British dessert menus – onto a case containing the Imperial Crown worn by King Charles III at his 2023 coronation and 2024 opening speech to Parliament.
The huge crown, set with 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, 4 rubies and 269 pearls, was made for the 1937 coronation of Charles’s grandfather, George VI.
Police said the protesters were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. But the Historic Royal Palace says the priceless jewels that attract tourists have not been damaged.
The civil disobedience group, which advocates the establishment of permanent citizens’ gatherings and wants to tax extreme wealth, said two of its members threw food and two others were arrested and taken to a “custard.”
The stunt was just one of many that have targeted rare treasures and works of art in order to draw attention to political causes. Last year, oil protesters were jailed for throwing a can of tomato soup onto the glass protecting Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” at London’s National Gallery.
Video of the act in the Tower of London, a former royal palace also known as the prison where Anne Boleyn, Thomas More and others were executed, showed two protesters attacking the case while other visitors backed away in shock.
After an employee intervened and called for help on the radio, two demonstrators unfurled a sign that read: “Democracy is broken. Tax the rich.”