Dating back to 1660, the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace in London is a spectacular event held at two locations in the city: in front of Buckingham Palace and at the Horse Guards Parade, opposite St. James Palace, headquarters of the Royal Guard.
The most famous Changing of the Guard takes place daily in front of Buckingham Palace and the ceremony starts at 11 am; the soldiers forming The Queen’s Guard depart from Wellington Barracks and, after a 5-minute walk accompanied by a marching band, arrive at the forecourt of the Queen’s residence.
Here begins the actual ceremony lasting 40 minutes, captivating tourists and Londoners who gather in the area a couple of hours early to watch not only the march but also the actual guard change. The event can be canceled, especially on days of heavy rain.
The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace takes place daily from April to July (except Sundays), while on alternate days for the rest of the year.
The ceremony at the Horse Guards, however, can also be admired on Sundays and, only on this day, starts at 10 am instead of the traditional 11 am.
