John and Caroline Kennedy Explore London

May 17, 1965 - John and Caroline Kennedy clambered through the ancient cannons of the Tower of London today, turning themselves into a center of attraction for sightseers at one of London’s most famous tourist spots.

More than 100 sightseers smiled at the children of President Kennedy and then rushed toward them. However, the tower’s famous beefeaters, dressed in their red Elizabethan costume, formed a protective wall.

Mrs. Kennedy did not accompany her 7-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son to the tower. Their British nanny, Maud Shaw, and several American bodyguards went along.

The Kennedy children have captured London’s heart since their arrival, but late this afternoon, Mrs. Kennedy appealed for privacy during the rest of the visit. In a statement, she asked that John and Caroline “not be subject further to the glow of publicity.”

Shortly afterward, photographers and reporters withdrew from in front of 4 Buckingham Palace, home of Mrs. Kennedy’s sister, Princess Stanislas Radziwill, where the Kennedys are staying.

At the tower, the children were taken on a conducted tour by officials. They posed for photographers with Yeoman jailer Alfred Hind, holding a huge ax of the sort once used by headsmen in tower executions.

Then they went in to see the crown jewels. While sucking a lollipop, John asked: “Tell me, who owns these?”

“The Queen,” replied the guide.

“Very good,” the young visitor observed.

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