| The Changing of the Guard ceremony is perhaps the | | | | railings or the Victoria Memorial. Changing the Guard is |
| most recognized formality in Europe, and is conducted | | | | one of the oldest and most familiar ceremonies |
| at Buckingham Palace every odd day of the week | | | | associated with Buckingham Palace. The Queen's |
| beginning at 11:30pm. Although the ceremony doesn't | | | | Guard usually consists of Foot Guards in full-dress |
| get started until 11: 30, mass of tourists begin swarming | | | | uniform of red tunics and bearskins. In this ceremony, a |
| the palace gates and beyond as early as 9:30am. The | | | | New Guard exchanges duty with the Old Guard, |
| procession of colorful guards and other such royal | | | | accompanied by a Guards band. The music ranges |
| officers and horses begins their march from Birdcage | | | | from traditional military marches to songs from West |
| Wlk., continuing down Spur Rd., past the Queen | | | | End shows and even familiar pop songs. |
| Victoria Memorial, and on through the gates of the | | | | The ceremony begins with the Old Guard |
| palace. Precisely at 11:30am will one can hear the | | | | detachments at St James's Palace marching to |
| beating drums and the clopping of horse hooves and | | | | Buckingham Palace, where they join the Palace's Old |
| the brass instruments resounding through the British air | | | | Guard and await the arrival of the New Guard. The |
| as the marching guards make their way through the | | | | New Guard led by their regimental band, marches |
| huge crowd. | | | | from Wellington Barracks (next to the Guard's |
| Ever since 1660 Household troops have guarded the | | | | Museum on Birdcage Walk) to the Palace. Inside the |
| Sovereign Palaces. The Palace of Whitehall was the | | | | Palace forecourt the Old and New Guards go through |
| main residence until 1689 and was guarded by the | | | | drills and the band plays for about 30 minutes. The |
| Household Cavalry. The court moved to St James's | | | | ceremony ends with the Old Guard Captain handing |
| Palace in 1689. When Queen Victoria moved into | | | | over the Palace keys to the New Guard Captain. The |
| Buckingham Palace the Queen's Guard remained at St | | | | Old Guards then march out of the Palace and back to |
| James'' Palace and a detachment guarded | | | | Wellington Barracks, led by the regimental band. The |
| Buckingham Palace. | | | | safety and protection of the Sovereign is the |
| The Changing of the Guard takes place inside the | | | | responsibility of the Household Division. At Buckingham |
| railings of the forecourt to Buckingham Palace. The | | | | Palace, the five regiments of Foot Guards perform this |
| Foot Guards provide a colorful display in their red | | | | duty. |
| tunics and bearskins and are accompanied by a band | | | | Being a very popular event, the area around the |
| throughout. During the 45 minute ceremony the New | | | | Palace can get rather crowded. To give everyone a |
| Guard replaces the Old Guard and a detachment is | | | | chance to see the guards, half of them follow a route |
| left at Buckingham Palace with the remaining New | | | | to the left of the Queen Victoria Memorial, and the |
| Guard marching on to St James Palace. For a good | | | | other half go to the right. |
| view, get there early and position yourself near the | | | | |