Timings for Changing the Guard is centred upon the New Guard arriving at the Forecourt at 11:30am. Timings shown here are approximate and depending on a day’s operational requirements, they may vary slightly.
10:40am Buckingham Palace and Victoria Memorial
The New Guard of the Queen’s Life Guards (mounted on horses) passes on their way to Horse Guards Parade, via The Mall (except Sundays).
10:45am Wellington Barracks Parade Ground
The regiment set to begin their shift, known as the “New Guard”, assemble on the parade ground.
10:50am Wellington Barracks Parade Ground
Inspection of the band by the Adjutant.
11:00am Buckingham Palace Forecourt
The outgoing guard, known as the “Old Guard”, assemble in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace.
11:00am St James’s Palace Friary Court
The Old Guard parade on Friary Court, at the rear of the Palace. St James’s Palace has much fewer crowds and no barriers, making it a decent alternative to Buckingham Palace.
11:00am Wellington Barracks Parade Ground
Band forms a circle and plays some tunes. Inspection of the New Guard by the Adjutant. The inspection accompanied by music lasts for around 20 minutes.
11:15am St James’s Palace and The Mall
St James’s Palace Old Guard departs Friary Court, marches along Marlborough Road then the Mall to Buckingham Palace, led usually by the Corps of Drums, and bearing the Colour (the Queen’s Colour if the Queen is in residence, the Regimental Colour if she is not).
11:20am Wellington Barracks
New Guard Regimental Colour arrives.
11:25am Buckingham Palace Forecourt
Buckingham Palace detachment of the Old Guard and St James’s Palace detachment of the Old Guard assembled as one.
11:25am Wellington Barracks and Birdcage Walk
New Guard marches from Wellington Barracks to Buckingham Palace along Birdcage Walk, led by the band. The band plays upbeat tunes the whole way.
11:30am Buckingham Palace Forecourt
New Guard arrives at Buckingham Palace via the North Centre Gate (right side of the fencing as you look at the palace). Upon arrival it halts, turns to face the Old Guard, then slow marches into position as the band plays its regimental slow march (all regiments have their own slow and quick march tunes).
11:32am Buckingham Palace Forecourt
As a compliment and mark of mutual respect, the Old Guard, then the New Guard, present arms (display their weapons) to each other.
11:35am Buckingham Palace and Victoria Memorial
The Old Guard of the Queen’s Life Guards (mounted on horses) passes on their way to Hyde Park Barracks (except Sundays). As a compliment and mark of mutual respect, the Queen’s Life Guard and the Foot Guards (Old and New Guards combined), present arms (display their weapons) to each other.
11:37am Buckingham Palace Forecourt
The Old Guard Captain and New Guard Captain (each the head of a different regiment) meet at the centre of the Forecourt, where they touch left hands. The gesture dates back to a time when the keys to the Palace were exchanged between captains. Nowadays, naturally, there are no keys to hand over. The gesture symbolises the handing over of the protection of the palace and its occupants from the Old Guard to the New.
11:40am Buckingham Palace Forecourt
The band forms a half circle in the centre of the Forecourt. For the remainder of this portion of the ceremony the band plays a mix of military tunes, classical scores and pop songs. Many first-time visitors are surprised to hear hits by the likes of Abba booming out from Buckingham Palace’s grounds.
The officers from the Old and New Guard then head inside the Palace to the guardroom where they hand over ammunition and discuss the Royal Family’s forthcoming movements.
At this time New Guards replace the Old Guards on sentry duty (during the 24-hour shift, members of the detachment take turns to complete two-hour sentry duty).
Additionally, a group of New Guards march over to St James’s Palace to take over sentry duty.
During this period, the two regimental colours are paraded up and down the Forecourt.
When the Old Guard sentries return from St James’s Palace to Buckingham Palace, this section of the ceremony is complete.
12:05pm Buckingham Palace Forecourt
The centre gates are opened. The band marches out first playing their regimental slow march tune, followed by the Old Guard in slow time. At the end of the slow march the Captain of the Old Guard commands “Break into Quick Time” and with a brisk five pace roll from the drums, the band leads the march back to Wellington Barracks.
The St James’s Palace Detachment of the New Guards exits quickly after, and marches to St James’s Palace.
Meanwhile, The Buckingham Palace Detachment of the New Guards heads inside to the guardroom.
12:15pm St James’s Palace
Upon arrival at Friary Court, The St James’s Palace Detachment of the New Guards has a brief ceremony.
Read the other parts of our guide: Changing of the Guard FAQ | The best ways to watch the Changing of the Guard
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to…
(Featured image: Between a Rock)
