Changing Of The Guards Buckingham Palace London

Changing the Guard in London is a ceremony that originated in the 1790s. The Procedure of the ceremony is as follows:

  

The Changing of the Guard ceremony is the formal handing-over of responsibility from the ‘old guard’ who have been standing guard at St. James’s and Buckingham Palace, to the ‘new guard’.

11:00 a.m the ceremony begins when Foot Guards of the old guard form up in Friary Court at the side of St. James’s Palace. A Corps of Drums, a Pipe Band or a full Military Band then plays the guard down The Mall to the forecourt of Buckingham Palace.

11.30 a.m. when the new guard forms up inside Wellington Barracks while a Regimental Band plays. When the old guard is ready, the new guard marches across into the forecourt. Once the old and new guards are drawn up facing each other, the Captain of the old guard hands the keys of the Palaces to the Captain of the new guard. New sentries are then marched to their positions while the Band plays and the Colours (regimental flags) of the old and new guards are paraded.

12.10 a.m the sentries have been set. The band and old guard then leave for Wellington Barracks, slow marching out of the forecourt and saluting the new guard as they pass. The new guard for St. James’s marches behind its music up The Mall to Friary Court. This is where the Changing of the Guard ceremony ends, and a tradition that goes back through the centuries is over for another day.

Changing Of The Guard Times and Schedule

The Changing of the Guard Times and Schedule at Buckingham Palace London – Guard Mounting takes place on alternate dates during Autumn and Winter but takes place everyday during peak tourist season of Spring and Summer. Please ensure you check date and time details before attending Changing the Guard Times and Schedule for June 2006 are shown below ….

The ceremony normally takes place in the courtyard of Buckingham palace at 11:30 am. It is free to watch but to get a good view make sure you arrive early. The ceremony lasts approximately three quarters of an hour (45 minutes) period .

Note that there will be no changing of the Guard Ceremony at Buckingham Palace forecourt in very wet weather or on certain ceremonial days Tel: London Tourist Board on 09068663344

What are the nearest Tubes stations? Victoria tube and railway station, St James Park Tube or Green Park Tube

How do I get there by Bus? Numbers 11, 211, 239, C1 and C10 buses all stop on Buckingham Palace Road

Can I watch changing the Guards anywhere else? Changing of the Guards takes place at Windsor Castle in June and July everyday at 11:00 am. Tower Of London 11:00 am daily and at Horse Guards Arch 11:00 am during the week but at 10:00 am on Sundays.

What should I do if its cancelled due to rain? Why not go to the Guards museum. It has uniforms and medals on display together with dioramas depicting the battles which the Guards have been involved in, from the English Civil War to the present day.

JULY 2006

Daily in July the guard change is scheduled to take place , but please check dates before you attend. The full information will be posted once avaliable.

AUGUST 2006 ONWARDS (provisional dates until April 2007)

From August the guard change will take place on alternate days – check website for details as full information will be posted once avaliable. Provisional dates are listed below. August – Even numbered dates (i.e. 2nd, 4th ..) The guard change is scheduled to take place on alternate days until April 2007: September 2006 (Confirmeddates)2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, 12th, 14th, 16th, 18th, 20th, 22nd, 24th, 26th, 28th, 30th October (Provisional dates) Even numbered dates (i.e. 2nd, 4th ..) November (Provisional dates) Odd numbered dates (i.e. 1st , 3rd, 5th ..)December (Provisional dates) Odd numbered dates (i.e. 1st , 3rd, 5th ..)September & October – November & December –

JUNE 2006

DATE	THE QUEEN’S GUARD	QUEEN’S GUARD BAND
1st June	1st Battalion Coldstream Guards	Grenadier Guards
2nd June	1st Battalion the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment	Irish Guards
3rd June	Major Generals Review – No parade
4th June	No 7 Company Coldstream Guards	Welsh Guards
5th June	1st Battalion Coldstream Guards	Coldstream Guards
6th June	1st Battalion Coldstream Guards	Scots Guards
7th June	Nijmegen Company Grenadier Guards	Welsh Guards
8th June	F Company Scots Guards	Grenadier Guards
9th June	1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment	Irish Guards
10th June	Colonels Review – No parade
11th June	1st Battalion Coldstream Guards	Coldstream Guards
12th June	1st Battalion Welsh Guards	Coldstream Guards
13th June	1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment	Welsh Guards
14th June	Nijmegen Company Grenadier Guards	Coldstream Guards
15th June	1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment	Irish Guards
16th June	1st Battalion Coldstream Guards	Grenadier Guards
17th June	Queen’s Birthday Parade1st Battalion	Welsh Guards
18th June	1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment	Scots Guards
19th June	1st Battalion Welsh Guards	Scots Guards
20th June	1st Battalion Coldstream Guards	Grenadier Guards
21st June	1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment	Irish Guards
22nd June	1st Battalion Coldstream Guards	Welsh Guards
23rd June	F Company Scots Guards	Grenadier Guards
24th June	1st Battalion Welsh Guards	Irish Guards
25th June	1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment	Welsh Guards
26th June	1st Battalion Welsh Guards	Scots Guards
27th June	1st Battalion Coldstream Guards	Coldstream Guards
28th June	1st Battalion Welsh Guards	Coldstream Guards
29th June	1st Battalion Welsh Guards	Irish Guards
30th June	1st Battalion Coldstream Guards	Scots Guards