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