The Ceremony
The daily ceremony has remained mostly unchanged for over 350 years. At the time of Guard Changing, the Old Guard forms up on the North side of the enclosure on Horse Guards Parade and the New Guard on the South side.
The trumpeters of both Old and New Guards sound a Royal Salute on the arrival of the New Guard and the departure of the Old Guard. When His Majesty the King is in residence each guard carries their Standard.
When both Guards have formed up in the enclosure, the Corporal Major, Senior Non-Commissioned Officer and the sentries of the first relief of the New Guard leave for the Guard Room which is then handed over.
The sentries of the Old Guard, after being relieved, re-join the remainder of the Old Guard on the North side of the enclosure. The Standard and trumpeters only parade with a Long Guard.
- 10.30am New Guard leaves Hyde Park Barracks
- 10.45am New Guard passes Buckingham Palace
- 11.00am New Guard arrives at Horse Guards Parade
- 11.30am Old Guard leaves Horse Guards Parade
- 11.45am Old Guard passes Buckingham Palace