Changing of the Guard

The Changing of the Guard is one of London's most famous spectacles. It is the official shift change of the Guards of the Household Regiment, who protect Buckingham Palace and the Queen.

There is a lot of history here: the Household Guard was established to protect the Monarchy around 1500. These days the Guards band plays during the duty handover and the soldiers wear their official uniform of red tunic and high bearskin hat; some are mounted on horseback. When the Queen is in residence at the palace there are four guards at the front gate, when she is away there are only two.

Practical Info

This is a very popular part of any visit to London so if you want a good view, get there early and take up position right next to the fence rails. The guards hand over the duty shift in the palace forecourt inside the gates so if you are too far back in the crowd, you won't see anything. The Horse Guards ride up from their barracks at the other end of The Mall and if you can't get a place at the Buckingham Palace Gate, you can always wait for the Horse Guards to pass St James's Palace and follow them from there.

The nearest tube stations are St James Park, Green Park and Victoria.