BRITAIN-LIFESTYLE-TRADITION-ROYALS

Personnel from three British Royal Navy ships, HMS Illustrious, Edinburgh and Blythe, deliver a barrel of wine representing the dues at the Tower of London in central London on May 10, 2013 as they take part for the first time in the historic ceremony of the Constable's Dues. The annual event can be traced back to the 14th century and is related to the Crown's authority over the City of London. During the Middle Ages, successive Kings believed it was their right to extract tolls from vessels on the Thames. On the monarch's behalf, the Constable of the Tower of London, was empowered to demand these tolls as a perquisite of his office. Past offerings have included barrels of rum, or oysters, mussels and cockles; this year, the Tower's Constable, General Lord Richard Dannatt, was presented with a barrel of wine. AFP PHOTO / CARL COURT (Photo credit should read CARL COURT/AFP via Getty Images)