Your online guide to Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace with practical advice to help you be in the right place at the right time to see more of the ceremony than most visitors.
Precision drill and bands playing stirring music all combine to make Changing of the Guard one of London's most popular attractions that epitomises the pomp and military ceremony for which Britain is famous.
The Changing of the Guard is free to watch, you do not require a ticket or have to make a booking!
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Changing the Guard Fast Facts
Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is the ceremony where The King's Guard hands over responsibility for protecting Buckingham Palace and St. James's Palace to the New Guard.
Provisional Dates - Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Always check the for Changing the Guard as schedules can change, sometimes at short notice.
Following a march by a detachment of the Old Guard, with musical support, from St. James's Palace and the New Guard led by a Regimental Band from Wellington Barracks the ceremony on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace starts at 11:00 and lasts for approximately 45 minutes.
The King's Guard is normally provided by one of the five regiments of Foot Guards from the Household Division, instantly recognisable in their famous bearskin caps and red tunics.
Musical support is provided by a Regimental Band or Corps of Drums with pipers occasionally taking part in the ceremony.
Watching the Changing of the Guard is free of charge and no tickets are required.
Don't stand in the way
Please don't stand in the way of the Guards as they will not stop or march around people who are impeding their progress
The usual warning they shout out if someone is in the way is "Make way for The King's Guard".
Stay Safe
During the Changing of the Guard ceremony Police Officers are always present to ensure a safe and smooth event.
If you are coming to watch, please do take care of your personal possessions at all times as, like many crowded places, pickpockets have been known to operate in this area.
Please report any suspicious behaviour to a Police Officer.
Further advice can be found on the Met Police website.
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The Changing of the Guard Ceremony in Detail
Prefer a visual representation of what is happening? Then take a look at this info-graphic video.
Most people head for Buckingham Palace to see Changing the Guard, but the ceremony actually takes place between three locations - Buckingham Palace, St. James's Palace and Wellington Barracks.
The St. James's Palace detachment of the Old Guard forms up in Friary Court at 10:25 for an inspection by the Captain of The King's Guard. (St. James's Palace is situated off The Mall in Marlborough Road).
This contingent will make its way down The Mall towards Buckingham Palace at approximately 10:43 preceded by a Regimental Band or Corps of Drums.
The Buckingham Palace detachment, of the Old Guard, already on duty in the Palace, are inspected whilst awaiting the arrival of the St. James's Palace detachment.
The St. James's detachment enters the Palace Forecourt via the South Centre Gate (left of centre facing the Palace) and takes up position beside the Buckingham Palace detachment on the left hand side of the forecourt.
Now complete, the Old Guard awaits the arrival of the incoming New Guard from Wellington Barracks, which is situated at the Buckingham Palace end of Birdcage Walk.
The New Guard undergoes its own inspection on the parade square at Wellington Barracks.
While awaiting the arrival of the New Guard's Regimental Colour the band, accompanying them forms a circle and plays a selection of music.
After saluting the Colour, the New Guard steps off from Wellington Barracks preceded by a Regimental Band at 10:57.
At 11:00 the New Guard enters the Forecourt, via the North Gate (right of centre facing the Palace), they march in front of the Band and halt facing the Old Guard.
The Band then performs the New Guard's Regimental Slow March as it advances towards the Old Guard.
The Old and New Guards 'Present Arms' before the Captains of the Guard ceremoniously hand over the Palace keys.
This symbolic gesture represents the transfer of responsibility for the security of the Palace's from the Old to the New Guard who, until relieved, will be The King's Guard.
When The King is in residence The Foot Guards, on the forecourt of the Palace, will await The King's Life Guard and 'Present Arms', (salute with their rifles), as the cavalry pass between the Queen Victoria Memorial and Buckingham Palace.
After this salute the officers, of both the Old and New Buckingham Palace detachments, salute the Senior Captain on parade with their swords.
Retiring to the guardroom, they will report to the Senior Captain after completing handover procedures with their Senior Non-Commissioned Officers.
During this period the Ensigns, carrying their respective Colours, patrol the area before the Palace from left to right. Officers not directly involved in the ceremony march in step along the west side of the Guards.
As each new sentry is posted, a Corporal distributes any special orders, previously collected from the Palace by the Captain of the Guard.
During these procedures the Regimental Band, originally accompanying the New Guard, moves to the centre of the forecourt, forms a semi circle and perform a programme of music.
Pipers who occasionally accompany the Old Guard, on the march from St. James's Palace, also provide music at this point in the ceremony.
The original sentries, having been replaced by sentries from the New Guard, including those still on duty at St. James's Palace, return to complete the Old Guard.
The duty bugler informs the Director of Music that the handover is complete. The band then reforms in front of the centre gates.
At approximately 11:35 the Guards are called to 'Attention'.
The Old Guard advances to its Regimental Slow March towards the New Guard.
Wheeling right, the Colours of the Old and New Guard exchange compliments as the Old Guard exits through the Centre Gate preceded by the Band.
Having left the Palace, the Old Guard 'breaks into quick time' and continues its march back to Wellington Barracks.
The New Guard, remaining in the Palace, is given the order to 'Slope Arms' and is referred to from this point as 'The King's Guard'.
The King's Guard then divides into two.
Those responsible for guarding St. James's Palace, usually led by a Regimental Band or Corps of Drums, march off down the Mall to place their Regimental Colour in the guardroom, located in Friary Court, at St. James's Palace.
The Buckingham Palace detachment of The King's Guard then retires to the Palace Guard Room to assume their duties.
Post Procedure For The Guards
The guards at Buckingham Palace and St James Palace are on duty for 24 or 48 hours.
During that time a Guardsman will have 2 hours on sentry duty and then 4 hours off.
A sentry will come to attention, every 10 minutes, slope arms and march across their post, normally about 20 paces in total, having repeated this four-five times the guard halts, shoulders arms and returns to standing at ease.
Sentries are not permitted to stand easy whilst at their post, indeed it is in the orders for the sentry that are read out to them at the beginning of their 'tour of duty', "you may not eat, sleep, smoke, stand easy, sit or lie down during your tour of duty".
Foot Guards are trained on how to deal with threats and nuisances from the public.
The first way they do this is by coming to attention, as the crash of a studded ammo boot striking concrete, is a good way to grab attention, and this is usually accompanied by a shout of 'Stand back from the guard' or something similar.
Should the nuisance persists the sentry repeats the above and moves his weapon to the slope with a similar shout.
The final warning is to issue an official challenge to the person. The sentry will slope arms and then move the weapon into a position called 'port arms' where the weapon points at the person.
This is considered the final warning and the next step would be for the sentry to either detain the person or seek assistance.
If there is a threat from arms or other weapon, the sentry can seek, or in some cases already have, permission to discharge their weapon to stop the assailant.
There have been no recorded discharging of weapons from sentries on Public Duties.
Getting to Buckingham Palace
Address: Buckingham Palace, London, SW1A 1AA
By Underground
The nearest tube stations are:
Green Park - Piccadilly, Victoria & Jubilee lines - About 10 minutes walk
St James's Park - District & Circle line - About 10 minutes walk
Victoria - District, Circle & Victoria line - About 15 minutes walk
By Train
Nearest, mainline, train station:
London Victoria - About 15 minutes walk
By Bus
Bus Numbers: 11, 211, 239, C1 & C10 stop on Buckingham Palace Road.
By Car
Not recommended, Buckingham Palace is in the congestion charge zone.
Parking is difficult to find and expensive.
Getting Around London
The Visitor Oyster Cardis the cheapest and most flexible way to travel around London.
Valid on London Underground, buses, trams and the Dockland Light Railway (DLR).
- Accepted everywhere: Use on most London public transport, including Tube, buses, tram, DLR, Overground and National Rail services in London
- Flexible and reusable: Choose the credit you need. Use it again on your next trip to London or pass it on to friends or family
- Save Money: Save up to 50% on your travels including journeys to Central London from Heathrow, Gatwick and London City Airport with a Visitor Oyster card
- Save Time: Your card is ready to use as soon you arrive in London. Simply touch in and go
London Day Travelcardgives you access to unlimited travel on London Underground trains, buses, Docklands Light Railway, trams and overland trains within London.
- Cheap:with one ticket you get unlimited travel, [within the zones your Travel card covers], working out much cheaper than buying single tickets
- Easy:Enjoy unlimited travel on London's public transport, including Tube, buses, Overground and National Rail services
- Groups: If you are travelling in London with a group of 10 or more people, you can buy aGroup Day Travelcard.
Where Others Go From Here
Changing the Guard Dates
Confirmed Dates & Times for Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace.
Where to Watch
Best spots to watch the Changing of the Guard.
With maps and tips to help you see more.
Where to Watch
Visiting With Children
To help younger visitors enjoy the Changing of the Guard try this suggestion.
Visit With Children
The King''s Life Guard
See the men and horses changing The King''s Life Guard on Horse Guards Parade.
The King's Life Guard
Don't forget to check the calendar to make sure the Changing of the Guard is schedule to take place on the day you plan to visit!
