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BUCKINGHAM PALACE GUARD CHANGE DATES FOR 2008
To get the most from the ceremony buy the
guide book to the ceremony, at less than US$7.00 per copy,
click here for further information.
March (Confirmed Dates) Please
Click here for a detailed schedule
2nd,4th,6th,8th,10th,12th,14th,16th,18th,20th,22nd,24th,28h,30th
PLEASE NOTE ON MARCH 26TH THERE WILL NOT BE A GUARD
CHANGE AT 11.00AM THE GUARD WILL CHANGE AT 4.00PM HOWEVER
THERE WILL BE NO MUSIC OR CEREMONY
PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO SHORTAGES ON MOST DAYS IN MARCH THE GUARD CHANGE WILL NOT BE PERFORMED BY THE USUAL
GUARDS IN THEIR RED TUNICS
April (Confirmed Dates) Please
Click here for a detailed Schedule
THERE HAS BEEN A CHANGE IN THE SCHEDULE AND THE GUARD
CHANGE WILL NOT TAKE PLACE DAILY IN APRIL BUT ON THE
FOLLOWING DATES ONLY:
1st,3rd,5th,7th,9th,11th,13th,15th,17th,19th,21st,23rd,25th,27th,29th
From May until July the guard change is usually
takes place daily, however in certain months there are
changes to this schedule so we recommend you check the site
before you travel to ensure that the schedule matches your
itinerary
Click here to
Order
the guide book
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
We make
every effort to ensure the information given is up to date,
however we do recommend you check locally to ensure that
there have not been last minute changes, if you are staying
in an hotel usually the concierge can assist.
We
recommend you get there early to enjoy a good location. You
do not have to stand in front of Buckingham Palace to get
the best from the ceremony.
The pocket guide book 'Changing the Guard at Buckingham
Palace' shows you the best locations you can
stand, get great photographs and learn more about this
fantastic ceremony
Or you
can buy the guide book at many locations including The
Royal Collection Shop located in Buckingham Palace Road
opposite The Queens Gallery.
PLEASE NOTE THAT IN VERY WET WEATHER CHANGING THE GUARD
AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE WILL NOT TAKE PLACE
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.
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Section from the Map in the guide
book 'Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace'
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There
are also excellent photo opportunities at St James'
Palace and Wellington Barracks. There is a great map
in the Guide book that shows
you when and where the best photos can be taken and
you can even get a photo standing next to a guard at
St James Palace!
After
the Parade or, if it is raining and the Parade does
not take place, a visit to the Guards Museum is well
worthwhile. You will find it in Birdcage walk on the
way to the Cabinet War Rooms, Big Ben and The Houses
of Parliament.
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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.
PLEASE NOTE THAT FROM NOVEMBER UNTIL
APPROXIMATELY MARCH DUE TO BUILDING WORK IN THE AREA THE FOUR
O'CLOCK PARADE WILL TAKE PLACE WITH DISMOUNTED GUARDS ONLY
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
usually in June (this year it will be held on June 7th and
8th). 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. see
www.trooping-the-colour.co.uk for full details
On the Sovereign’s official birthday (in June 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)
Queen's Birthday Parade usually in June (her
official birthday is June 12th but the Parade is not always
held on this day)
PLEASE NOTE THAT TICKETS SHOULD BE APPLIED FOR
IN WRITING IN JANUARY OR FEBRUARY TO: The Brigade Major,
HQ Household Division, Horse Guards, Whitehall, London SW1A
2AX
UDPATED DETAILS AS OF JANUARY 2007:
THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY PARADE 2007
Those wishing to attend The Queen’s Birthday Parade on Saturday
16th June 2007, the Colonel’s Review on Saturday 9th
June, and the Major General’s Review on Saturday 2nd
June, should apply for tickets before the end of February
and include a stamped, self-addressed envelope for
acknowledgement. As the demand for tickets is great, a
ballot is held in mid-March. Only successful applicants will be
notified and receiving up to a maximum of three tickets for the
actual parade - this restriction does not apply to the Reviews.
Children must be in possession of a ticket. There are limited
wheelchair spaces for all three parades. Separate applications
are required for this facility. No refund can be given if
the event is cancelled for reasons beyond the control of the
organiser.
Applications for these events should be sent to The Brigade
Major, Headquarters Household Division, Horse Guards, Whitehall,
London SW1A 2AX
HOUSEHOLD DIVISION BEATING RETREAT 2007
The Mounted Bands of the Household Cavalry and the Massed Bands
of the Foot Guards will Beat Retreat on Horse Guards on
Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th June 2007.
Performances commence at 7pm and last approximately one hour.
Ticket prices are £12 and £10 (all reserved seating). The
following discounts are available. 10% discount on all tickets
to those booking ten seats or more. Family tickets in the £10
seats for 2 Adults and up to two children aged 16 and under,
cost £25. A limited number of wheelchair spaces are available
for these parades. Separate applications are required for this
facility. A member of the Royal Family, or a civilian or
military VIP takes the salute. No refund can be given if
the event is cancelled for reasons beyond our control.
Ticket requests should be made as follows:
a. Cheques/ Postal Orders, made payable to 'Household
Division Funds', will be accepted at any time but tickets will
not be despatched before April. Cheques (in sterling only)
should be sent to The Treasurer, Household Division Funds, Horse
Guards, Whitehall, London SW1A 2AX, together with a stamped,
self-addressed envelope.
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.
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