Big Ben's home renamed Elizabeth Tower

The Queen has a new man in her life.

Well, actually it's a bell with a man's name ... Big Ben.

The Clock Tower, where Big Ben resides on the banks of the Thames, is to be renamed Elizabeth Tower, a lasting tribute to the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

The British House of Commons approved the change Tuesday following a four-month campaign by politicians on all sides to recognize the Queen's 60 years on the throne.

The 96.3-metre tall tower, one of London's most iconic structures, stands at one end of the the Palace of Westminster, home of Britain's Parliament. Featured at the other end is the Victoria Tower, which was given its name in 1860 in honour of the only other Queen to serve 60 years. (Right: Queen Elizabeth sails past the Clock Tower on the Thames during her Diamond Jubilee celebration on June 3.)

The motion requested the House of Commons Commission to change the name of the Clock Tower "in recognition of Her Majesty's 60 years of unbroken public service on behalf of her country."

The tower, completed in 1859, houses the world famous Big Ben bell, the largest of five bells in the tower.

Big Ben was reportedly named after Sir Benjamin Hall, a civil engineer and politician who was the commissioner of works when when the Clock Tower was built. But there are others who claim the name came from Ben Caunt, a champion English boxer from the mid-1800s.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip are in Northern Ireland on Tuesday and Wednesday as part of the Diamond Jubilee tour.

Comments

[Myredpony]

I wonder what they are going to do with Roger Miller’s song, England Swings? Are they are going to change the lyrics? That would be quite a challenge because not a lot rhymes with Elizabeth Tower and it would be a shame to take out the rosy red cheeks of the little children.

‘England swings like a pendulum do
Bobbies on bicycles, two by two
Westminster Abbey, the tower Big Ben
The rosy red cheeks of the little children.’