There are various options. You can either wait at the gates of Buckingham Palace (but get there early!), or choose a spot on the Mall or near the Queen Victoria memorial and wait for guards to march past. But to have a great overview of the ceremony, and stand in all the best spots, its best to join one of our Changing the Guard tours!
There are 775 rooms in Buckingham Palace, including 78 bathrooms, etc etc
The soldiers ages vary, with many being in their late teens and early twenties. The youngest soldiers are 17.
Yes, they are soldiers who also serve as front line combat units in conflict zones. They provide a ceremonial service for a period, usually at the start of their military careers.
Yes, the weapons they carry are SA80s, the same assault rifles used when serving overseas.
The King’s Guard are providing the first line of security for the Royal family and Royal Palaces, so it is a role with high responsibility. As such, it is not appropriate to laugh or smile while on duty.
Yes. The hats worn by soldiers are made from Canadian Black Bear fur, while the officers wear Canadian Brown Bear. The British Army have trialled synthetic material but don’t currently consider this to be a practical alternative.
For six months of the year the guards wear thick grey coats, known as ‘Great Coats’ rather than the scarlet red tunics. This to ensure they stay warm through the winter.
Changing the Guard is a historic event in London where soldiers from the King’s Guard Household Division known as the Old Guard are relieved of their by soldiers known as the New Guard. They are joined by musicians as they march between the palaces and barracks where they are stationed.
The ceremony occurs in the Royal Quarter of London. Guards will march between three principal locations – St James Palace, Wellington Barracks and Buckingham Palace
