Changing of the Guard Dates & Times

Dates and times for Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace in May 2025 with details of the Regiments and Bands taking part.

Where to Watch Changing the Guard

We are often asked where is the best spot to watch the Changing of the Guard, but as the ceremony spans three locations Buckingham Palace, St James’s Palace and Wellington Barracks there is no single spot where you can see the entire Guard Mount.

If you would like to see the various stages of the ceremony with an expert guide, including the inspection of the, Old Guard, we recommend the award winning Changing the Guard Walking Tour from Fun London Tours who will get you to the right place at the right time.

Scroll down for confirmed schedules

Coldstream Guards on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace

Coldstream Guards on the Forecourt of Buckingham Palace

Changing the Guard Schedule May 2025

Dates, times and details of the Regiments and Bands scheduled for Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace in May 2025

  • Changing the Guard Ceremonies normally take place on Mondays, Wednesday and Friday at 11:00

  • Sunday Parade The Band, playing music, marches from Wellington Barracks to Buckingham Palace around 10:45
    The Duty Guard is formed up in front of the Palace. The Band plays a selection of music while the Colour is paraded in front in front of the Guard
    Around 11:15 the Band leads the Guards and Colour down The Mall to St. James's Palace, where the Colour is lodged
    Around 11:25 the Band and Guards then march back to Buckingham Palace, again with music, arriving around 11.40.
    The Band, playing music, then marches back to barracks.

  • Captain's Inspections are expected to take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 15:00.

  • Trooping the Colour Rehersals: The Guard march from Horse Guards Parade up The Mall to Buckingham Palace.

Please Note: This schedule can and may change.
Changes to the Regiments and Bands scheduled to take part, since first published, are shown in red.

Saturday 17 May @ 15:00

Captain's Inspection: :

Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment

Musical Support:

Band and Bugles of The Rifles

Remarks

-

Sunday 18 May @ 11:00

Sunday Parade :

Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment

Musical Support:

Band and Bugles of The Rifles

Remarks

-

Monday19 May @ 11:00

Changing The King's Guard: :

Number 7 Company Coldstream Guards

Musical Support:

Band of the Coldstream Guards (Full Mount)
Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas (Full Dismount)

Remarks

Trooping the Colour Rehersal.
The Guard Mount from Horse Guards

Monday19 May @ 14:00

Admin Mount :

1st Battalion Grenadier Guards

Musical Support:

Admin Mount
Without Music or Ceremony

Remarks

-

Wednesday 21 May @ 11:00

Changing The King's Guard: :

Number 7 Company Coldstream Guards

Musical Support:

Band of the Irish Guards
1st Bn. Grenadier Guards Corps of Drums

Remarks

Trooping the Colour Rehersal.
The Guard Mount from Horse Guards

Wednesday 21 May @ 14:00

Admin Mount :

Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment

Musical Support:

Admin Mount
Without Music or Ceremony

Remarks

-

Thursday 22 May @ 15:00

Captain's Inspection: :

Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment

Musical Support:

Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas
Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas (Bugler)

Remarks

-

Friday 23 May @ 11:00

Changing The King's Guard: :

Number 7 Company Coldstream Guards

Musical Support:

Band of the Scots Guards (Full Mount)
Band and Bugles of The Rifles (Full Dismount)

Remarks

Trooping the Colour Rehersal.
The Guard Mount from Horse Guards

Saturday 24 May @ 15:00

Captain's Inspection: :

Number 7 Company Coldstream Guards

Musical Support:

Band of the Scots Guards

Remarks

-

Sunday 25 May @ 11:00

Sunday Parade :

Number 7 Company Coldstream Guards

Musical Support:

Band of the Scots Guards

Remarks

-

Monday 26 May @ 11:00

Changing The King's Guard: :

1st Battalion Grenadier Guards

Musical Support:

Band of the Scots Guards (Full Mount)
Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas (Full Dismount)

Remarks

-

Tuesday 27 May @ 15:00

Captain's Inspection: :

1st Battalion Grenadier Guards

Musical Support:

Band of the Scots Guards

Remarks

-

Wednesday 28 May @ 11:00

Changing The King's Guard: :

Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment

Musical Support:

Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas (Full Mount)
Band of the Welsh Guards (Full Dismount)

Remarks

-

Friday 30 May @ 11:00

Changing The King's Guard: :

1st Battalion Grenadier Guards

Musical Support:

Band of the Scots Guards (Full Mount)
Band and Bugles of The Rifles (Full Dismount)

Remarks

-

Friday 30 May @ 14:00

Admin Mount :

Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment

Musical Support:

Admin Mount Without Music or Ceremony

Remarks

-

Changing the Guard Provisional Dates

The days the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace currently takes place are:

  • Changing the Guard: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
  • Captain's Inspection: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
  • Sunday Parade: Sundays

About the ceremonies

Always check the confirmed schedule.

Changing of the Guard Times

Free of watch the Changing of the Guard spans three locations, Buckingham Palace, St James's Palace and Wellington Barracks normal timings are:.

  • 10:43 Old Guard leaves St James's Palace
  • 10:57 New Guard leaves Wellington Barrack
  • 11:00 Official Start Time
  • 11:10 St James's Palace relief leaves Buckingham Palace
  • 11:25 Relieved sentries leave St James's Palace
  • 11:40 Old Guard leaves Buckingham Palace
  • 11:45 St James's Palace Guard leaves Buckingham Palace

Note: Always check the date you plan to visit.

Times can change and on occasions the Guard Mount without music or ceremony!

Visiting Changing The Guard

Where To Watch

Places to watch Changing the Guard
With maps and tips to help you see more

What You Will See

Complete guide to the Changing of the Guard ceremony

Visiting With Children

Suggestions to help younger visitors see the Guards and Bands without a long wait

FAQ

Answers to frequently asked questions about Changing the Guard

Walk With The Guards

The Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place between three locations Buckingham Palace, St James's Palace and Wellington Barracks.

To end up in the right place at the right time we recommend the award winning Changing the Guard Walking Tour from Fun London Tours.

You can save 10% on this fun packed tour by adding the discount code FUNGUARD10PC when you book a Changing the Guard Walking Tour.

Getting Around London

The Visitor Oyster Card is the cheapest and most flexible way to travel around London.

Valid on London Underground, buses, trams and the Dockland Light Railway (DLR).

  • Accepted everywhere: Use on most London public transport, including Tube, buses, tram, DLR, Overground and National Rail services in London
  • Flexible and reusable: Choose the credit you need. Use it again on your next trip to London or pass it on to Fridayends or family
  • Save Money: Save up to 50% on your travels including journeys to Central London from Heathrow, Gatwick and London City Airport with a Visitor Oyster card
  • Save Time: Your card is ready to use as soon you arrive in London. Simply touch in and go

London Day Travelcard gives you access to unlimited travel on London Underground trains, buses, Docklands Light Railway, trams and overland trains within London.

  • Cheap: with one ticket you get unlimited travel, [ within the zones your Travel card covers], working out much cheaper than buying single tickets
  • Easy: Enjoy unlimited travel on London's public transport, including Tube, buses, Overground and National Rail services
  • Groups: If you are traveling in London with a group of 10 or more people, you can buy a Group Day Travelcard.

Stay safe and hope we will see you soon!

 

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