Robert Gill was the son of Ralph Gill, a previous lionkeeper at the Tower of London. Robert was invited by his cousin Thomas Heneage, the current lionkeeper, tour the Lion Tower to see and meet two actual up-time women: Rita Stearns and Melissa Mailey. Gill was surprised to learn that the two women had previously seen lions and other exotic animals in zoos, or in media such as televisions; all of which was explained to him by Mailey. Gill was very impressed to learn much of the history of the Tower from Mailey. Gill expected to be soon become lionkeeper for life.