Changing of the Guards

Buckingham Place becomes a spectacle of an old palace tradition at 11:30 am also knows as the Changing of the Guard. The ceremony begins with the St. James' Palace detachment of the Queen's Guard, led usually by the Corps of Drums, and bearing the Queen’s  Colour if the queen is residing at the palace else there Regimental colors march along the Mall to Buckingham Palace, where the Buckingham Palace detachment awaits their arrival. The Guards parade on the sounds of a Military Band consisting of 35 musicians.

The new guards march to the forecourt of the palace and when they meet the old guards and their respective captains exchange the palace keys. This is followed by the new guards replacing the old guards. This ceremony has been performed since 1660 and is a 45 minute even. Tourists from around the world flock over to see the spectacular event. When The Queen is in residence, there are four sentries at the front of the building. When she is away there are two.

An important note for the tourist, at Buckingham Palace the changing of the guard takes place at 11.30am and is held daily from May to July, and on alternate dates throughout the rest of the year. Apart from Buckingham Palace the changing of the guard’s ceremony also takes place at the Windsor Castle