Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace

The Changing of the Guard Ceremony in Detail

Prefer a visual representation of what is happening? Then take a look at this info-graphic video.

Most people head for Buckingham Palace to see Changing the Guard, but the ceremony actually takes place between three locations - Buckingham Palace, St. James's Palace and Wellington Barracks.

The St. James's Palace detachment of the Old Guard forms up in Friary Court at 10:25 for an inspection by the Captain of The King's Guard. (St. James's Palace is situated off The Mall in Marlborough Road).

This contingent will make its way down The Mall towards Buckingham Palace at approximately 10:43 preceded by a Regimental Band or Corps of Drums.

The Buckingham Palace detachment, of the Old Guard, already on duty in the Palace, are inspected whilst awaiting the arrival of the St. James's Palace detachment.

The St. James's detachment enters the Palace Forecourt via the South Centre Gate (left of centre facing the Palace) and takes up position beside the Buckingham Palace detachment on the left hand side of the forecourt.

Now complete, the Old Guard awaits the arrival of the incoming New Guard from Wellington Barracks, which is situated at the Buckingham Palace end of Birdcage Walk.

The New Guard undergoes its own inspection on the parade square at Wellington Barracks.

While awaiting the arrival of the New Guard's Regimental Colour the band, accompanying them forms a circle and plays a selection of music.

After saluting the Colour, the New Guard steps off from Wellington Barracks preceded by a Regimental Band at 10:57.

At 11:00 the New Guard enters the Forecourt, via the North Gate (right of centre facing the Palace), they march in front of the Band and halt facing the Old Guard.

The Band then performs the New Guard's Regimental Slow March as it advances towards the Old Guard.

The Old and New Guards 'Present Arms' before the Captains of the Guard ceremoniously hand over the Palace keys.

This symbolic gesture represents the transfer of responsibility for the security of the Palace's from the Old to the New Guard who, until relieved, will be The King's Guard.

When The Queen is in residence The Foot Guards, on the forecourt of the Palace, will await The Queens Life Guard and 'Present Arms', (salute with their rifles), as the cavalry pass between the Queen Victoria Memorial and Buckingham Palace.

After this salute the officers, of both the Old and New Buckingham Palace detachments, salute the Senior Captain on parade with their swords.

Retiring to the guardroom, they will report to the Senior Captain after completing handover procedures with their Senior Non-Commissioned Officers.

During this period the Ensigns, carrying their respective Colours, patrol the area before the Palace from left to right. Officers not directly involved in the ceremony march in step along the west side of the Guards.

As each new sentry is posted, a Corporal distributes any special orders, previously collected from the Palace by the Captain of the Guard.

During these procedures the Regimental Band, originally accompanying the New Guard, moves to the centre of the forecourt, forms a semi circle and perform a programme of music.
Pipers who occasionally accompany the Old Guard, on the march from St. James's Palace, also provide music at this point in the ceremony.

The original sentries, having been replaced by sentries from the New Guard, including those still on duty at St. James's Palace, return to complete the Old Guard.

The duty bugler informs the Director of Music that the handover is complete. The band then reforms in front of the centre gates.

At approximately 11:35 the Guards are called to 'Attention'.

The Old Guard advances to its Regimental Slow March towards the New Guard.

Wheeling right, the Colours of the Old and New Guard exchange compliments as the Old Guard exits through the Centre Gate preceded by the Band.

Having left the Palace, the Old Guard 'breaks into quick time' and continues its march back to Wellington Barracks.

The New Guard, remaining in the Palace, is given the order to 'Slope Arms' and is referred to from this point as 'The King's Guard'.

The King's Guard then divides into two.

Those responsible for guarding St. James's Palace, usually led by a Regimental Band or Corps of Drums, march off down the Mall to place their Regimental Colour in the guardroom, located in Friary Court, at St. James's Palace.

The Buckingham Palace detachment of The King's Guard then retires to the Palace Guard Room to assume their duties.

Post Procedure For The Guards

The guards at Buckingham Palace and St James Palace are on duty for 24 or 48 hours.

During that time a Guardsman will have 2 hours on sentry duty and then 4 hours off.

A sentry will come to attention, every 10 minutes, slope arms and march across their post, normally about 20 paces in total, having repeated this four-five times the guard halts, shoulders arms and returns to standing at ease.

Sentries are not permitted to stand easy whilst at their post, indeed it is in the orders for the sentry that are read out to them at the beginning of their 'tour of duty', "you may not eat, sleep, smoke, stand easy, sit or lie down during your tour of duty".

Foot Guards are trained on how to deal with threats and nuisances from the public.

The first way they do this is by coming to attention, as the crash of a studded ammo boot striking concrete, is a good way to grab attention, and this is usually accompanied by a shout of 'Stand back from the guard' or something similar.

Should the nuisance persists the sentry repeats the above and moves his weapon to the slope with a similar shout.

The final warning is to issue an official challenge to the person. The sentry will slope arms and then move the weapon into a position called 'port arms' where the weapon points at the person.

This is considered the final warning and the next step would be for the sentry to either detain the person or seek assistance.

If there is a threat from arms or other weapon, the sentry can seek, or in some cases already have, permission to discharge their weapon to stop the assailant.

There have been no recorded discharging of weapons from sentries on Public Duties.

Getting to Buckingham Palace

Address: Buckingham Palace, London, SW1A 1AA

By Underground

The nearest tube stations are:
Green Park - Piccadilly, Victoria & Jubilee lines - About 10 minutes walk
St James's Park - District & Circle line - About 10 minutes walk
Victoria - District, Circle & Victoria line - About 15 minutes walk

By Train

Nearest, mainline, train station:
London Victoria - About 15 minutes walk

By Bus

Bus Numbers: 11, 211, 239, C1 & C10 stop on Buckingham Palace Road.

By Car

Not recommended, Buckingham Palace is in the congestion charge zone.
Parking is difficult to find and expensive.