Changing the Guard

           
                
           
       
Changing the Guard in the lead up to The Queen's Platinum Jubilee
 From Tuesday 3rd May 2022, public access in front of Buckingham Palace will be extremely limited due to the preparation and build for events to celebrate The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. 
Whilst Changing the Guard will still take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 11am, the opportunities to view from the front of the Palace will be extremely limited and those wishing to view the ceremony are advised to arrive early. Once the allocated areas to view Changing the Guard are full, the area will be closed off. For those unable to find a viewing point in front of the Palace, the Guards can still be viewed en route as they make their way along the Mall from Marlborough Road, and there will be additional opportunity to view the new guard form up through the railings of Wellington Barracks, on Birdcage Walk. 
Restricted public access is expected to end by Monday 20th June 2022. From Tuesday 7th June, Changing the Guard will take place daily until the end of July. There will be no Changing the Guard on Monday 6th June. The Household Cavalry change guard on Horse Guards Parade daily at 11am (10am on Sundays). On days of rehearsals or other events taking place on Horse Guards, Guard Change can move to 4pm. 

 Changing the Guard is one of the oldest and most familiar ceremonies associated with Buckingham Palace.
The proper name of the ceremony known as Changing the Guard is actually Guard Mounting. In this process a New Guard exchanges duty with the Old Guard and both Guards are drawn from one of the regiments of Foot Guards.
The handover is accompanied by a Guards band. The music played ranges from traditional military marches to songs from musical shows and even familiar pop songs.
When The Queen is in residence, there are four sentries at the front of the building. When she is away there are two.
The Queen's Guard usually consists of Foot Guards in full-dress uniform of red tunics and bearskins. If they have operational commitments, other infantry units such as the Brigade of Gurkhas take part instead.
Watching the ceremonyBuckingham Palace - Guard Mounting takes place in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace at 11 am, and lasts about 30 minutes. There is no Guard Mounting in very wet weather. During the autumn and winter, Guard Mounting takes place on alternate days, but it is held daily during spring and summer. Buckingham Palace is immediately adjacent to St James's Park and The Green Park.
Horse Guards Arch - the Changing the Guard takes place daily at 11am (10am on Sundays) and lasts about 30 minutes. It is held on Horse Guards Parade by Whitehall, which is located east of St James's Park.
During the Changing the Guard the following roads will remain closed between 10.15am and 11.45am; Constitution Hill, the Queen Victoria Memorial, Spur Road, Link Road and The Mall (up to the junction with Marlborough Road). In addition, on Sundays Marlborough Road, Constitution Hill and The Mall will be closed by 9am and reopen at dusk.
Please note that from January 16, 2017, Changing of the Guard outside Buckingham Palace will take place on fixed days in the Autumn and Winter; on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays between 10.15am and 11.45am.
DatesDaily in summer months (April to July), alternate dates for the remainder of the year (August to March).
LocationsBuckingham Palace is located immediately adjacent to St James's Park and The Green Park.
Horse Guards Arch is at the Trafalgar Square end of St James's Park.
The official Changing the Guard appThe official Changing the Guard app has been designed by The Royal Collection to enhance the experience of watching this traditional military ceremony, which has taken place at Buckingham Palace since 1837.
You can purchase and download the app from the iTunes store for 69p or visit The Royal Collection website for more information.

           
                
           
       