About Changing the Guard

Are you one of the many, intrigued by the customs and traditions of the Royal Family? If so, the Changing the Guard ceremony is an interesting and a free, must watch event, if touring London!

This pageantry is held to highlight the new guard taking over duty from the old guard. But the specialty is it comes with a pompous band, lots of classical military music and a spectacular view of regiments full of guards dressed in red jackets and bearskins! These guards are in fact soldiers of the British Army Infantry, responsible for guarding the Royal Palaces in London.

There are few Changing the Guard Ceremonies held;

One is for the Mounted Regiment, the Queen's Lifeguards who ride the horses; which lasts for about 30 minutes. This is held at the Horse Guards, 11 a.m. from Monday to Saturday and at 10 a.m. on Sundays.

The second pageantry is for the Foot Guards (Five Regiments). It takes place outside the Buckingham Palace, daily at 11.30 a.m. during the summer and every alternate day of the remaining year. This lasts for about 45 minutes. The best view is said to be near the Victoria Monuments.

This ceremony also takes place at the Windsor Castle at 11.00 a.m. daily, in June and July and at the London Tower daily at 11.00 a.m.  

As these ceremonies attract a big crowd, coming earlier would ensure a nice view. The nearest tube stations are Victoria Tube, St James Park Tube or Green Park Tube. The buses No. 11, 211, 239, C1 and C10 also take the Buckingham Palace Road.

Is your album missing a picture with a pompous Buckingham Palace Guard? A perfect spot is at the Pall Mall, around the corner across the courtyard, where a guard is standing all by himself!

Being a free event, it certainly is an opportunity to seize!    

Location

Nearest Tube :  Victoria, St Jame Park , Green Park , Hyde Park