The changing of the guard in London is the ceremony that celebrates the changing of the Royal Guard in charge of the security of Buckingham Palace in central London. It is a spectacular parade that takes place in the mornings and is one of the most famous and important tourist attractions in London.
During the changing of the guard in London we will see regiments of horse guards and foot guards, with the traditional red tunics and the famous bearskin hats. The Changing of the Guard ceremony in London is accompanied by a military musical band, which plays both military music and music of more contemporary styles, often surprising the public with songs that they surely did not expect to hear!
Changing of the Guard in London: Complete Guide
1. Information
2. Schedules
3. Route and Map
4. Where to see it
5. Calendar January – February – March – April – May – June – July – August – September – October – November – December
6. Cancellations
7. Walking tours of the Changing of the Guard in London
8. What to do after seeing the Changing of the Guard
9.Visit Buckingham Palace in London
10. Opinions
Information
The Queen’s Guard is responsible for the security of Buckingham Palace and St James’s Palace, which is located less than 5 minutes from Buckingham Palace. Thus, the Royal Guard is made up of two detachments: One from Wellington Barracks (from Buckingham Palace) and another from St James’s Palace.
The Horse Guard is located at Horse Guards, the official entrance to Buckingham Palace and St James’s Palace. Horse Guards is located between the beautiful park of St. James and Whitehall, a street that takes us from Trafalgar Square to Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. At 11 am there is also the changing of the Mounted Guards at Horse Guards, and for this, the horse guards pass in front of Buckingham Palace twice: The first time at 10.45 am, when the new Mounted Guards pass at direction Horse Guards, and after the relief will pass Buckingham Palace by the Mounted Guard who was on duty and has just been relieved at approximately 11.37am.
In Horse Guards, the Dismounting Ceremony , also called the Four o’clock Parade , is also held at 4 in the afternoon every day . Horses of the Mounted Guard are taken to the stables for the night, and the Mounted Guard that has been since 11 in the morning located in the two stalls at the entrance of Horse Guards, is relieved at 4 in the afternoon. by Foot Guards. An officer inspects the incoming Royal Guard with a small public act.
For this reason, during the changing of the guard in London we have to talk about four key places :
- Buckingham Palace
- Wellington Barracks
- St James’s Palace
- Horse Guards
Detailed schedule of the Changing of the Guard in London
The Changing of the Guard in London takes place on specific days of the month, and the exact dates are usually confirmed the month before, so don’t forget to check the Changing of the Guard dates before you travel to London.
Many people think that the Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place every day at Buckingham Palace, for this reason, the fact that there are people waiting does not mean that there is a changing of the guard!
10.30am: The new Royal Guards from both detachments, both at Wellington Barracks and St James’s Palace prepare. In the Wellington barracks they stand in the barracks yard accompanied by a military band that is already beginning to play.
The Royal Guard from St James’s Palace are not always accompanied by a marching band, but when there is you can hear them very clearly from Marlborough Road, where they will walk in procession to Buckingham Palace.
10.43am: Royal Guards depart St. James’s Palace for Buckingham Palace. The sentinels of the guard for the moment wait at St. James’s Palace.
10.45am: The Royal Horse Guards leave the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace and pass Buckingham Palace at 10.45am in the direction of Horse Guards.
10.57am: The Royal Guard departs Wellington Barracks for Buckingham Palace.
11:00 am: Official start of the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace.
11:10 am: Sentinels of the Guard who were on duty at Buckingham Palace depart for St James’s Palace.
11:25 am: The new guard sentinels leave St. James’s Palace and head towards Buckingham Palace.
11:37am: The Mounted Guard who were on duty and have been relieved return to the Royal Mews via Buckingham Palace.
11:40 am: Royal Guards who were on duty at Buckingham Palace leave Buckingham Palace for Wellington Barracks.
11:45 am: Royal Guards who were on duty at Buckingham Palace leave Buckingham Palace for St. James’s Palace.
Map of the route taken by the Royal Guard during the Changing of the Guard ceremony in London
Where to see the Changing of the Guard in London
Being one of the London attractions that attracts the most tourists, to see the Changing of the Guard in London without missing a thing, I recommend that you first arrive early. And the second, knowing where to stand to see it better.
Most people line up right outside Buckingham Palace to watch the changing of the Royal Guard. Here are three places where I can personally recommend you get to see it:
- Front row just outside the gates at the main entrance to Buckingham Palace.
- Climbed the steps that are in the square just in front of the main entrance of the Palace.
- One option is to stand next to one of the entrance gates to Green Park to the right of the Main Palace entrance, but in my opinion it is not the best place.
If, on the other hand, the relay itself is not what interests you the most, but you want to take some cool photos of the Foot Guard walking towards Buckingham Palace or the Mounted Guard, then I recommend that you wait in The Mall, the street that goes from Trafalgar Square to Buckingham Palace, and more specifically at the entrance of Marlborough Road, where the Royal Guard will leave. Or you can also wait in front of Wellington Barracks.
Calendar of the Changing of the Guard in London: Exact Dates 2022
The changing of the guard ceremony in London begins at 10:30 am, with the changing of the guards taking place at 11:00 am at Buckingham Palace . The ceremony lasts approximately 30-45 minutes.
Usually, the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace takes place every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday of the year. During the months of April, May and June it will also be held on Saturdays, and during the summer months it will be held every day. But although this is the general schedule, there can always be exceptions, and the exact dates are usually published a month in advance. Below we have prepared a list with the confirmed datesand the tentative dates for each month. We update this information every month, as soon as the exact dates of the Changing of the Guard in London are confirmed, which is usually the month before or a few weeks (sometimes just a few days!) in advance. That is why I recommend checking the final dates just before traveling to London.
› January
› February
› March
› April
› May
› June
› July
› August
› September
› October
› November
› December
» Changing of the Guard London January 2022 ✓ Confirmed dates
In January 2022 it will be held on January 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 19, 21, 23, 24, 26, 28, 30 and 31. Confirmed dates.
In January we also celebrate the arrival of the new year with events on January 1 in London .
» Changing of the Guard London February 2022 ✓ Confirmed dates
The changing of the guard in February will take place on: 1, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27 and 28 February 2022. Confirmed dates .
Also in February: “Accession to the Throne Day” will be celebrated with a gun salute at 12 noon in Green Park on Monday 7 February.
In February we also celebrate Valentine’s Day in London .
» Changing of the Guard London March 2022 ✓ Confirmed dates
The changing of the guard in London in March will take place on March 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28 and 30 March 2022. Dates confirmed.
» Changing of the Guard London April 2022 X Provisional dates
The changing of the guard in April will take place on April 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22 and 24 April 2022 at Buckingham Palace. Provisional dates.
In April we also celebrate Easter in London.
The London Marathon was scheduled to be held on April 26 but has been postponed to October due to the Coronavirus.
» Changing of the Guard London May 2022 X Provisional dates
The changing of the guard in May will take place on days 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10*, 12, 13*, 15, 17*, 19, 20, 22, 24, 25*, 26*, 27*, May 29 and 31, 2022 at Buckingham Palace. Provisional dates.
*Exceptions: On May 10, 13 and 17 there will be a rehearsal for the Trooping The Color parade . On the 25th there is an official rehearsal of the Trooping The Color parade at Horse Guards, for which it is possible to buy tickets on the official website . On May 26 and 27 there will be no traditional ceremony or musical accompaniment, so I would recommend seeing the changing of the guard on another day if possible.
» Changing of the Guard London June 2022 X Provisional dates
The changing of the guard in June will take place on days 1*, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8*, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, June 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30, 2022 at Buckingham Palace. provisional dates
*Exceptions: The famous Trooping the Color parade is held on June 8 to celebrate the queen’s birthday. On June 1 there is an official rehearsal of the Trooping The Color parade at Horse Guards, for which it is possible to buy tickets on the official website .
» Changing of the Guard London July 2022 X Provisional dates
The changing of the guard in July will take place on days 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, July 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31, 2022 at Buckingham Palace. provisional dates
» Changing of the Guard London August 2022 X Provisional dates
The Changing of the Guard in August will take place on August 23, 25, 27, 29 and 30, 2022 at Buckingham Palace. Provisional dates.
*Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
» Changing of the Guard London September 2022 X Provisional dates
The changing of the guard in September will take place on September 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, and 29, 2022 at the Palace from Buckingham. provisional dates
» Changing of the Guard London October 2022 X Provisional dates
The changing of the guard in October will take place on October 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10*, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18, 20, 22, 24, 25, 27, 29 and 31, 2022 in Buckingham palace. Provisional dates.
*Exceptions: On the 10th, the changing of the guard will be held at 4 pm without musical accompaniment or traditional ceremony.
» Changing of the Guard London November 2022 X Provisional dates
The changing of the guard in November will take place on November 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14*, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29 and 31, 2022 in Buckingham palace. provisional dates
Notes: On November 14, the changing of the guard will take place at 6 am without musical accompaniment or ceremony since it is Remembrance Sunday . In November we also have the confirmed dates for the lighting of the Christmas lights in London .
» Changing of the Guard London December 2022 X Provisional dates
The changing of the guard in December will take place on December 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29 and 31 December 2022 at the Palace of Buckingham. Provisional dates .
In December, in addition to the changing of the guard, we celebrate Christmas in London and the most important night of the year: New Year’s Eve in London .
Cancellation in case of rain
One of the drawbacks is that in case of bad weather or rain in London it can be canceled at the last moment, without prior notice. If a day is canceled, the dates that had been confirmed for that month continue, no more days are added. In our experience, it has to rain quite a bit for them to cancel it.
London Changing of the Guard Walking Tours
If you want you can join one of the walking tours that will explain in detail the history and curiosities about the changing of the guard ceremony, as well as walking alongside the Royal Guard to Buckingham Palace, with access to a platform where you can climb to see perfectly the changing of the Guards.
What to do after
Once the ceremony is over, I suggest you see London on foot, since you are next to such important places as St James’s Park or Trafalgar Square. You can take a look at our itinerary 1, a route that starts at Buckingham Palace.
Visit Buckingham Palace in London
Something that many people do not know is that it is possible to visit the spectacular royal stables and Buckingham Palace itself from the inside depending on the time of year. Visiting Buckingham Palace in London is undoubtedly a highly recommended visit.
Opinions Changing of the Guard London
The changing of the guard is one of those attractions that everyone thinks about, and as expected, there are opinions of all kinds.
There are people who find the ceremony very entertaining and worth seeing, just as there are people who think it is nothing special and that it is not worth it if there are so many people who do not see anything.
In my opinion it is one of the oldest and most authentic free tourist attractions in London, and I think if you have time it is worth seeing, but I simply recommend arriving in advance to ensure you get a good spot to see it well.