Changing of The Queen’s Guard takes place in front of Buckingham Palace at 11:30 am and lasts for about 45 – 60 minutes. The ceremony is held daily from April to July and on alternate days from August to March.
The Changing the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace follows a traditional format that is the basis for guard changing ceremonies which take place at other Palaces and Royal Residences. The Old Guard (the soldiers currently on duty) form up in front of the palace and are relieved by the New Guard which arrives from Wellington Barracks. The New Guard is accompanied by a band or Corps of Drums. The ceremony represents a formal handover of responsibilities to guard the Queen.
I have always wanted to see the changing of the guards. The way they march and present themselves and the uniforms looked so awesome! In March of this year I went to London with my family. The whole time on the way there I was thinking about the guards at Buckingham Palace. I made a suggestion that we need to go see the changing of the guards sometime before we leave. Guess what?… We went and I got to see the changing of the guards! They were very formal, they never got out of step when marching. They were just perfect at every level. The band was playing songs by the singer Adele (which shocked me). I really wasn’t expecting them to play songs that I knew. Overall that was the best part of my whole trip to London. Getting to see changing of the guards was just the cherry on top of a perfect vacation.
Story and Photos by Molly Clegg, HS Intern
