| The duty of guarding the official royal residences | | | | The New Guard would await inspection by the |
| in London fall on these men: clad in bright red | | | | Adjutant on the parade square at Wellington |
| uniforms and topped off in that familiar tubular | | | | Barracks. The band, having been inspected by the |
| bearskin caps, the ceremonial role played by the | | | | Adjutant, will form a circle to play music whilst the |
| Queen's Guard and the Queen's Life Guard, | | | | New Guard is inspected. |
| especially during the iconic Changing of the Guard | | | | The Guard comprises a full military band |
| rite at Buckingham Palace, is one that has | | | | accompanied by their Director of Music. When the |
| captivated tourists from the world over. | | | | New Guard is formed up, it will march across into |
| The Queen's Guard and the Queen's Life Guard | | | | the forecourt of Buckingham Palace. The New |
| are contingents of infantry and cavalry soldiers | | | | Guard then advances towards the Old Guard in |
| and have been responsible for guarding the | | | | slow, measured steps. The New and Old guards |
| Buckingham Palace and St James's Palace since | | | | then present arms while the Captains of the |
| the time of King Charles II. The weight of history | | | | Guards march towards each other for the |
| combined with London's seemingly perennial | | | | handing over of the Palace keys. |
| reputation as a tourist hub and cultural melting | | | | Being such a unique event, the Changing of the |
| pot, has seen the Changing of the Guard | | | | Guards is, and probably will always be, the subject |
| ceremony acquire a unique role - a charming | | | | of many photographers, be they amateur or |
| traditional counterpoint, perhaps, to the modernity | | | | professional. Tourists who wish to capture |
| that characterizes London. | | | | photographs are encouraged to do so before or |
| A brief description of the Changing of the Guard | | | | after the event. Photographing the guards after |
| ceremony for the uninitiated: | | | | the Changing of the Guard at Wellington Barracks |
| The Corp of Drums leads the St. James' Palace | | | | is recommended, as is being in St James's Palace |
| detachment of the Queen's Guard bearing the | | | | before or after the ceremony. You can also pose |
| Colour - if Her Majesty is in residence, then this | | | | with a guard at St James's Palace. |
| will be the Queen's Colour, else it is the Regimental | | | | Dates for the ceremony vary, but tourists in |
| Colour - marching along the Mall to Buckingham | | | | London are encouraged to get hold of the |
| Palace, where the Buckingham Palace detachment | | | | schedule for the Changing of the Guard from |
| would already be formed awaiting their arrival. | | | | official tourist publications. |
| These two detachments are called the Old Guard. | | | | |