LONDON (AP) — Four protesters were arrested Saturday after splattering food on the display case of a priceless diamond-encrusted crown at the Tower of London.
The Crown Jewels display was temporarily closed after members of a group called Take Back Power smeared apple crumble and poured yellow custard — two staples on British dessert menus — on the case containing the Imperial State Crown worn by King Charles III as he left his coronation ceremony in 2023 and during his speech to open Parliament in 2024.
The hefty crown, containing 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, four rubies and 269 pearls, was crafted for the coronation of Charles' grandfather, George VI, in 1937.
Police said the protesters were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. But the invaluable jewels that are a major tourist draw were unharmed, Historic Royal Palaces said.
The civil disobedience group that advocates for a permanent citizens' assembly and wants to tax extreme wealth said two of its members had thrown the food and two others were also arrested and taken into “custard-y.”
The stunt is one of many that has targeted prized treasures and artworks to draw attention to a political cause. Petroleum protesters were imprisoned last year for tossing a can of tomato soup on glass protecting Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” at London’s National Gallery.
Video of the act at the Tower of London, once a royal palace also known as the prison where Anne Boleyn, Thomas More and others were executed, showed two protesters attacking the case as other visitors stepped back in shock.
After an employee intervened and radioed for help, the two demonstrators unfurled a sign saying, “Democracy has crumbled. Tax the rich.”
CORRECTED THE NAME OF THE CROWN - FILE - King Charles III wearing the Imperial State Crown attends the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords, London, Wednesday, July 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, Pool File)
FILE - Tourists shelter under umbrellas as they view The Tower of London in London, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)
FILE - King Charles III wearing the Crown Jewels attends the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords, London, Wednesday, July 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, Pool File)
SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — The final score of the Florida game Saturday: Panthers 7, Columbus Blue Jackets 6.
And on the scoreboard, it read “6 7.”
Panthers, meet a phenomenon.
The viral term “6-7” was the talk of the Panthers' locker room after their overtime win, even though the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions — like pretty much everybody else on the planet — have no idea what it means.
“I don't know what is going on with this 6-7 thing,” said Panthers forward Sam Bennett, who scored the winning goal in overtime. “But it's funny that's how it ended tonight.”
It seems possible that Bennett knows more about the craze than he's letting on. In the on-ice postgame interview with Panthers sideline reporter Katie Engleson of Scripps Sports, Bennett made the juggling hands gesture that has become synonymous with whatever 6-7 is.
The 6-7 craze is so popular that Dictionary.com announced the phrase as its word of the year, even though it's not actually a word.
“Don’t worry, because we’re all still trying to figure out exactly what it means,” the site said in October when it made the decision.
The popular theory is that 6-7 gained popularity from rapper Skrilla’s song from 2024 called “Doot Doot (6-7)" that made it into TikTok videos and other social media mentions. NFL players have used it in touchdown celebrations as well.
And it's like the Panthers knew a game like this was coming. They played Saturday and play again at home Sunday, which means they're playing on Dec. 6 and Dec. 7 — so, yes, they're calling this “6-7 weekend.”
“Yeah, 6-7 night, 6-7 score, I'm sure the kids will have a lot of fun with that,” Panthers forward Brad Marchand said. “I know my kids were up there doing the ol' 6-7 dance. It's fun when those things happen.”
Panthers coach Paul Maurice made clear that he has “no idea” what any of it means.
“I will reiterate there’s a whole bunch of things I don’t need to know or investigate, research, or understand better than I do now,” Maurice said. “So, let’s all just leave it right there.”
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Florida Panthers celebrate the team's second goal, scored by center Sam Bennett, center, during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) reacts after scoring a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
