Episode 3

It's April 2022 at the Tower, and there are just five weeks to go until Superbloom, the Tower's transformation of its historic moat into a vast floral installation to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee, is due to open to the public. But one of the UK's driest springs has wreaked havoc on the 20 million flower seeds sown in the moat for the display — the ones that have germinated are weeks behind and large areas are still completely bare. Prof Nigel Dunnet, the horticultural expert in charge of Superbloom's planting scheme, has been watering for weeks to try to avert disaster, but it's clear more drastic measures need to be taken. Historic Royal Palaces head of public engagement projects Rhiannon Goddard has no choice but to put down an expensive and high-maintenance option — special preseeded turf that already contains growing plants — to give Superbloom the best chance of flowering in time for the Jubilee. But despite everyone's best efforts, Superbloom isn't ready for its official opening. So chief yeoman warder Pete McGowran reassures the world's press that it'll be worth waiting for. Ravenmaster Chris Skaife is keeping a close eye on the Tower's ravens, who are taking advantage of their popularity to steal visitors' lunches. Yeoman warder AJ Clark walks her new dachshund puppy: he's named Reggie after Reggie Kray, an infamous East End gangster who spent time in the Tower. Chief yeoman warder Pete and the Tower's resident governor Brigadier Andrew Jackson award the Beefeaters a special medal in honour of the Platinum Jubilee at an exclusive ceremony on Tower Green. And Historic Royal Palaces chief curator Tracy Borman follows the tragic story of Lady Katherine Grey, sister of Lady Jane Grey, condemned to the Tower and a life of unhappiness by Elizabeth I. A couple of weeks after the official opening, Superbloom can finally be seen in its full glory. A breathtaking sea of millions of flowers transforms the Tower's historic moat to the delight of visitors and Beefeaters.