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Changing of the Guard

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Changing of the Guard -
This spectacle is officially known as Guard Mounting - a new guard replacing the old guard. It is definitely on the top ten of tourist things to do in London and its free!

Watching the ceremony:
June 2004

The Guard change will take place daily, except:

On Saturday June 5th a ceremonial Parade called the Colonel's Review will take place at 11.00am on Horseguards Parade, tickets are UKL8.00 call +44 (0)20 7414 2479 for further information

On Saturday June 12th The Queen's Birthday Parade will take place at 11.00am on Horseguards Parade, tickets are UKL16.00 call +44 (0)20 7414 2479 for further information

Please note that due to the above events it is unlikely that a Guard change will take place. Confirmation will follow shortly.

July 2004

The guard change is scheduled to take place daily at 11.30am, offical dates however have not yet been released

August 2004

The guard change is scheduled to take place every other day, offical dates however have not yet been released

The Changing of the Queens Life Guards (Mounted on Horses) continues to take place daily at Horseguards, at 11.00am Mondays to Saturdays and 10.00am on Sundays.

We recommend you get there early to secure a good location.You do not have to stand in front of Buckingham Palace to enjoy the ceremony. The guide book shows you the many other locations you can stand, to enjoy the event and get some great photographs Order the guide book
The Guide Book will tell you the best places to stand plus uch more.

PLEASE NOTE THAT IN VERY WET WEATHER CHANGING THE GUARD AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE WILL NOT TAKE PLACE

Other Ceremonial Events

11.00am Changing the Queen’s Life Guard at Horse Guards Parade
The mounted Regiments change The Queen’s Life Guard at the entrance to Horse Guards, daily at 11.00am (10.00am on Sundays only). There are two types of Queen’s Life Guard. A Long Guard consisting of 17 men is mounted when The Queen is resident in London, otherwise a Short Guard made up of 12 men is mounted.

11.00am The Changing the Guard at Windsor Castle Very similar to The Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace, the Battalion of Foot Guards stationed at Windsor provide the daily Guard. For further information please call 09064 123411.

4.00pm The 4 o’clock Parade Horse Guards is the official entrance to Buckingham Palace, therefore The Queen’s Life Guard is mounted here and is inspected daily at 4 o’clock.

10.00pm The Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London
For over 700 years, the Tower has been locked every night and no one allowed in or out without the password. Today this ceremony still takes place at 7 minutes to ten each night, when the Chief Yeoman Warder, escorted by the military Guard, marches from the Byward Tower to lock the heavy wooden gates to the fortress.

Beating Retreat
The Household Division Massed Bands undertake Beating Retreat usuall in May. There are only 2 performances that take place at 6.30pm on Horse Guards Parade. Telephone +44 (0)20 7414 2271

Trooping the Colour or the Queen’s Birthday Parade.
On the Sovereign’s official birthday (June 12th each year) the Horse Guards Parade turns into one of the greatest spectacles in the British Calendar of events, there are usually two 'rehearsals' and the official event, all are worth seeing:

Major General's Review Telephone +44 (0)20 7414 2479 (Usually late May)

Colonel's Review Telephone +44 (0)20 7414 2479 (Usually one week before the Queens Birthday Parade)

June 12th Queen's Birthday Parade

The State Opening of Parliament
Her Majesty The Queen opens the start of the parliamentary year.

The Lords Mayor’s procession
A very colourful and musical spectacle, comprising of floats, bands and ceremonial parades.