Londoners Upset Big Ben To Be Renamed Elizabeth Tower In Honor Of Queen

Londoners and tourists alike are none too happy that Big Ben is being renamed Elizabeth Tower in honor of the queen's 60th year on the British throne.

Big Ben, long one of the most iconic buildings in England and one of the most recognizable names in the world, is officially going to be known as Elizabeth Tower, according to a Tuesday announcement that came on the heels of four days of celebrations of Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee, according to Reuters.

The 96-meter-high, neo-Gothic tower is officially actually called the Clock Tower and serves as a part of the U.K.'s Houses of Parliament, and it derives its name from Big Ben, the bell in the tower that can be heard all around the building when it chimes.

Prime Minister David Cameron said he believes the renaming is an apt way to fete Queen Elizabeth, according to Reuters.

The renaming of the Clock Tower to the Elizabeth Tower is a fitting recognition of the Queen's 60 years of service, Cameron said. This is an exceptional tribute to an exceptional monarch.

But that sentiment was not seconded by many members of the English public, and tourists who were in town to see the sights and were shocked about the name change:

Big Ben is so old and iconic, what is the sense in changing its name? Romanian tourist Mara Ciortescu told Reuters. All over the world people won't understand what the Elizabeth Tower is.

In fact, according to a YouGov poll, conducted last month, nearly half of the English people interviewed opposed renaming the Clock Tower, while only 30 percent said they thought it was a good idea.

The name change was the idea of Conservative Party lawmaker Tobias Ellwood, according to the wire service.

The House of Commons [parliament] Commission welcomed the proposal to rename the Clock Tower Elizabeth Tower in recognition of Her Majesty the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and will arrange for this decision to be implemented in an appropriate manner in due course, a spokesman for the House of Commons said.

Built in 1859, Big Ben -- now Elizabeth Tower -- is perched on the edge of the River Thames in London's Whitehall district, and it has four clockfaces and 393 steps from ground level to the top.