Changing the Guard (Guard Mounting), Buckingham Palace, London

Changing the Guard is the traditional ceremony performed at Buckingham Palace involving a new guard exchanging duty with the old guard. The proper name of the ceremony is actually the Guard Mounting.

The Queen's Guard are the mounted troopers of the Household Cavalry who guard the official entrance to Buckingham Palace. They wear a full-dress uniform of red tunics and bearskins.

The new guards arrive at the forecourt of the Palace at 11:30am from Wellington Barracks. The journey takes about 5 minutes and the soldiers are accompanied by a brass band called the Guards band.

The handover ceremony is conducted on the Palace forecourt and takes approximately forty five minutes during which time the band plays music to entertain the New and Old Guard as well as the watching crowds.

Changing of the Guard Times

The Changing of the Guard takes place in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace at 11.30am every day in summer, every other day in winter, and scheduled to last about 45 minutes.

Opening Times

11.30am - 12:15pm

May - daily, except 29 May
June - daily
July - daily
August - alternate days, odd (1,3,5 etc)

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Ticket Prices

Free

Disabled Facilities

The site is fully accessible

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More Information

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