Changing of the Guard

A must-see for London visitors; we are located just next door to this world-famous ceremony. Yet, you may not know there are three different ceremonies you can see at Buckingham Palace, all with a unique history and presence. 

Find out all you need to know about them here - the Changing of the Guard, Captain's Inspection, and Sunday Parade. 

The Changing of the Guard ceremony evolved from a simple need. Soldiers were needed to protect the Royal Palaces, and so, a process was created to replace those on duty every few days. 

Over time, this process evolved into the world-famous ceremony we know today. It represents the formal handover of responsibility from one unit to another. The New Guard form up at Wellington Barracks, and march over to Buckingham Palace to relieve the Old Guard. A detachment will remain there, whilst another continues on to St James's Palace for duties there. 

Timings

When: Monday, Wednesday, Friday

10:15 The New Guard form up at Wellington Barracks to prepare for duties. The Regimental Colour is brought onto parade 

10:30 At both St James's Palace and Buckingham Palace, the two detachments of the Old Guard form up for an inspection

10:43 The Old Guard departs St James's Palace and arrives at Buckingham Palace, joining the detachment there

10:57 The New Guard leaves Wellington Barracks, marching up the road to the forecourt of Buckingham Palace 

11:00 The New Guard enters Buckingham Palace, where the handover from Old Guard to New takes place. Sentries are posted, special orders are distributed, and the formal responsibility is transferred over.

11:10 A small relief team of New Guard sentries goes to St James's Palace, so the Old Guard sentries may re-join the rest of their unit at Buckingham Palace

11:40 Now complete, the Old Guard returns to Wellington Barracks, marking the end of their time on duty.

The New Guard remain at Buckingham Palace, officially taking on the role of 'The King's Guard'. It will then divide into two, with a detachment marching to St James's Palace to take up duties there. This is where the Regimental Colour is kept

Find out what you can see on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday under 'Other Ceremonies'. 

Other Ceremonies

Usually, this duty is carried out by members of the Household Division - the five Regiments of Foot Guards, recognisable in their scarlet tunics and tall bearskin caps. However, occasionally, this honour and duty is extended to guest regiments. Some examples include: 

  • King's Colour Squadron RAF
  • The Brigade of Gurkhas 
  • The Royal Marines 
  • Commonwealth Units 

Captain's Inspection

When: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday | 15:00

The Captain of the Guard inspects the troops on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace, to ensure the soldiers remain fit for the duty of guarding the Sovereign. 

The inspection is accompanied by a Regimental Band. 

Daily inspections are part of a military tradition that dates back centuries. For a long while, these inspections were carried out in private. Now, they appear in the public eye - giving spectators an insight into this historic tradition. 

Sunday Parade

When: Sunday | 10:00

The Regimental Colour is incorporated into the inspection of the Guard. It is marched through the ranks of soldiers on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace, and then returned to St James's Palace to be lodged away, escorted by the Guard. 

The Sunday Parade builds upon the Captain's Inspection, adding a crucial element known as the Regimental Colour. 

The Colour is a flag, and is a sacred item that embodies the honour, spirit, and heritage of the Regiment on duty. It is a personal gift from the Sovereign, containing all the battle honours for the Regiment. 

It is lodged at St James's Palace for the duration of the units' guard, but in this ceremonial event brought to the forecourt of Buckingham Palace. This tradition dates back centuries, when Colours were used as a critical battlefield tool, meaning it was vital for soldiers to recognise their unique Regiment's Colour. The practice evolved of 'trooping', marching the Colour between the ranks of soldiers so that they could learn it. 

It can get very busy near to Buckingham Palace at the time of the ceremony. You will need to arrive well in advance of 11:00, when the New Guard arrive at the Palace, to secure a good view.

A lesser known alternative is to watch the New Guard at Wellington Barracks, on Birdcage Walk. Arrive around 10:00, where you will see the Guard on the Parade Square from 10:15, accompanied by a Band. They will remain here until 10:57, when they depart from the Barracks and march up the road to Buckingham Palace. 

For the best view of the Guard as they depart, stand close to the gate. However, you will get a good view of the Guard and accompanying band as they prepare for duties all the way along the fence outside the Barracks on Birdcage Walk - so don't be afraid to spread out if you'd like to avoid the crowds. 

The Guards are most recognised in their scarlet tunics and tall bearskin caps. However, there are multiple types of uniform you may see throughout the year, depending on when you visit and who is on duty. 

The Guards typically cycle between two uniforms for Public Duties - Summer, and Winter Order dress. The change between the two aligns with Daylight Saving Time, the transition from British Summer Time to Greenwich Mean Time. Summer Order is the iconic scarlet tunic, worn from April to October. This is swapped for long, grey greatcoats in the coldest months of the year, from October to March. 

However, there are also times when you may not see Guards in these ceremonies at all. Guest units occasionally perform Public Duties, and will wear ceremonial uniforms unique to their own regiments. Check the schedule tab to see who is on duty, and learn more.  

If you're visiting during the winter months, the museum has scarlet tunics to try on year-round, so you can step into Summer Order yourself - no matter the season. 

There are always Police Officers present during the Changing of the Guard ceremony, from the Metropolitan Police. Their role is to assist with security, crowd control, and public safety throughout. You may see them on horseback, on bicycles, or on foot, as well as Met Police volunteers amongst the crowds. 

However, you should always be vigilant of your personal possessions. Like any crowded place, pick pockets have been known to operate in this area. Should you see any suspicious behaviour, report it to a Police Officer. 

Yes! The five regiments of Foot Guards are made up of full, serving soldiers as part of the British Army. 

They have a unique dual role - undertaking the ceremonial duties they are world-famous for at the Royal Palaces, while also being highly trained, frontline infantry soldiers. 

This has been true from the beginning of the British Army to the present day, and their work has taken them all over the world in combat and in peacetime. What you see at the palaces is just one part of a Guardsman's career and duties.  

Unfortunately, as an outdoor ceremony, adverse weather can sometimes impact ceremonial activity. Wherever possible, the ceremony will go ahead as usual, but there may be occasions where the ceremony is altered or even cancelled without prior warning. 

 A 'wet mount' may occur in the event of rain. This means that while the soldiers will still march from Wellington Barracks to the Palaces, they will do so without musical accompaniment. The public will typically not see the preparation for duties, including the inspection and presentation of the Regimental Colour. 

This decision often cannot be taken until the morning of, or even during, the ceremony. As such, it is frequently not possible to warn visitors and spectators when a 'wet mount' will occur. Should information be received in advance, we will post this under 'Updates' on the Schedule tab wherever possible. 

  1. Updates

    Balaklava Company 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland will be on duty periodically throughout December. 

    Check the schedule below to see when, and find out more about them below.

    Balaklava Company

  2. Understanding the Ceremonies

    There are three unique ceremonies that The King's Guard take part in throughout the week, occurring on alternate days. Learn more about the Captain's Inspection and Sunday Parade below. 

    Find Out More


CEREMONY

DATE & TIME

KING'S GUARD UNIT

 MUSICAL SUPPORT: BUCKINGHAM PALACE

 MUSICAL SUPPORT: ST JAMES'S PALACE
Guard Change

Mon 1 Dec

11:00

 Balaklava Company,
 5th Battalion,
 The Royal Regiment of 
Scotland

Band of the Welsh Guards

Band of the Grenadier Guards
Captain’s Inspection

Tue 2 Dec

15:00

Balaklava Company,
 5th Battalion,
 The Royal Regiment of 
Scotland

Band of the Welsh Guards

Bugler, Band of the Welsh Guards 
Guard Change

Wed 3 Dec

11:00

Scots Guards, F Company

Band of the Irish Guards 

Band of the Scots Guards
Captain’s Inspection

Thu 4 Dec

15:00

Scots Guards, F Company

Band of the Welsh Guards

Bugler, F Company Scots Guards 
Guard Change

Fri 5 Dec

11:00

Balaklava Company,
 5th Battalion,
 The Royal Regiment of 
Scotland

Band of the Scots Guards 

Band of the Welsh Guards
Captain’s Inspection

Sat 6 Dec

15:00

Balaklava Company,
 5th Battalion,
 The Royal Regiment of 
Scotland

Band of the Welsh Guards

No musical support
Sunday Parade

Sun 7 Dec

10:00

Balaklava Company,
 5th Battalion,
 The Royal Regiment of 
Scotland

Band of the Welsh Guards

Band of the Welsh Guards
Guard Change

Mon 8 Dec

11:00

Grenadier Guards, 1st Battalion

Band of the Scots Guards 

Corps of Drums,1st Battalion Grenadier Guards 
Captain’s Inspection

Tue 9 Dec

15:00

Grenadier Guards, 1st Battalion

Band of the Grenadier Guards

Bugler, Band of the Grenadier Guards 
Guard Change

Wed 10 Dec

11:00

Balaklava Company,
 5th Battalion,
 The Royal Regiment of 
Scotland

Band of the Grenadier Guards 

Corps of Drums,1st Battalion Grenadier Guards 
Captain’s Inspection

Thu 11 Dec

15:00

Balaklava Company,
 5th Battalion,
 The Royal Regiment of 
Scotland

Band of the Welsh Guards

Bugler, Band of the Welsh Guards 
Guard Change

Fri 12 Dec

11:00

Grenadier Guards, 1st Battalion

Band of the Welsh Guards 

Corps of Drums,1st Battalion Grenadier Guards 
Captain’s Inspection

Sat 13 Dec 

15:00

Grenadier Guards, 1st Battalion

Band of the Welsh Guards

No musical support
Sunday Parade

Sun 14 Dec

10:00

Grenadier Guards, 1st Battalion

Band of the Coldstream Guards 

Band of the Coldstream Guards 
Guard Change

Mon 15 Dec

11:00

Grenadier Guards, 1st Battalion

Band of the Scots Guards 

Corps of Drums,1st Battalion Grenadier Guards 
Captain’s Inspection

Tue 16 Dec

15:00

Grenadier Guards, 1st Battalion

Band of the Grenadier Guards

Bugler, Band of the Grenadier Guards 
Guard Change

Wed 17 Dec

11:00

Grenadier Guards, 1st Battalion

Band of the Welsh Guards 

Corps of Drums,1st Battalion Grenadier Guards 
Captain’s Inspection

Thu 18 Dec

15:00

Grenadier Guards, 1st Battalion

Band of the Scots Guards

Bugler, Band of the Scots Guards 
Guard Change

Fri 19th Dec

11:00

Grenadier Guards, 1st Battalion

Band of the Scots Guards 

Band of the Welsh Guards
Captain’s Inspection

Sat 20 Dec

15:00

Grenadier Guards, 1st Battalion

Band of the Grenadier Guards

No musical support
Sunday Parade

Sun 21 Dec

10:00 

Grenadier Guards, 1st Battalion

Band of the Grenadier Guards 

Band of the Grenadier Guards 
Guard Change

Mon 22 Dec

11:00

Grenadier Guards, 1st Battalion

Band of the Household Cavalry

Corps of Drums,1st Battalion Grenadier Guards 
Captain’s Inspection

Tue 23 Dec

15:00

Grenadier Guards, 1st Battalion

Band of the Grenadier Guards

Bugler, Band of the Grenadier Guards 
Guard Change

Wed 24 Dec

11:00

Grenadier Guards, 1st Battalion

Band of the Grenadier Guards 

 Corps of Drums,1st Battalion Grenadier Guards 
No Ceremony

Thu 25 Dec

Grenadier Guards, 1st Battalion

No ceremony

No ceremony
No Ceremony

Fri 26 Dec

Grenadier Guards, 1st Battalion

No ceremony

No ceremony
Captain’s Inspection

Sat 27 Dec

15:00

Grenadier Guards, 1st Battalion

Band of the Household Cavalry

No musical support
Sunday Parade

Sun 28 Dec

10:00

Grenadier Guards, 1st Battalion

Band of the Household Cavalry

Band of the Household Cavalry
Guard Change

Mon 29 Dec

11:00

Irish Guards, No.9 Company

Band of the Household Cavalry

Pipes, No.12 Company Irish Guards
Captain's Inspection

Tues 30 Dec

15:00

Irish Guards, No.9 Company

Band of the Grenadier Guards

Bugler, Band of the Grenadier Guards 
Guard Change

Wed 31 Dec

11:00

Irish Guards, No.7 Company

Band of the Grenadier Guards

Band of the Household Cavalry

Need-To-Know Terms

New Guard: The fresh detachment of soldiers who arrive to take over formal responsibility as The King's Guard, relieving the Old Guard. 

Old Guard: The soldiers who have been on duty at the Royal Palaces, acting as The King's Guard. During the ceremony, they hand over responsibility to the New Guard.  

Regimental Colour: The Colour is a flag, and is a sacred item that embodies the honour, spirit, and heritage of the Regiment on duty. It is a personal gift from the Sovereign, containing all the battle honours for the Regiment. 

Regimental Band: With military musicians from the Royal Corps of Army Music, each of the five Foot Guards regiments has an associated band who regularly take part in ceremonial and other duties. It is usually musicians from one of these five bands who you will see taking part in the Changing of the Guard ceremony, but occasionally other military bands may provide musical support. 

Buckingham Palace: The King's official London residence and a working royal palace.

St James's Palace: St James's Palace retains its' status as the most senior royal palace in London, though it has not been the Sovereign's home since William IV's death. Today, it is a busy working palace, and the site for many important state events. 

Wellington Barracks: A military barracks and one of three key locations in the Changing of the Guard ceremony. It opened in 1833, ideally placed to give the Guards close proximity to the royal palaces. The barracks was named after Arthur Wellesley, the 1st Duke of Wellington - a leading political and military figure of the period. 

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