Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace

What time is Changing The Guard?

This free London event is very popular, so be sure to arrive early to secure a spot with a good view.

Changing the Guard, or Guard Mounting as it is officially called, takes place outside Buckingham Palace every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11.00am. The 'handover' takes place at 11am. 

The ceremony in front of the gates is where the Captain of the 'Old Guard' officially hands over the Keys to the Palace to the Captain of the 'New Guard'. Perhaps the most enjoyable part of the ceremony is the fantastic music, for which you don't need to be right up against the gates

Want to see the Guards with less people around?

At the end of the ceremony you could follow the 'Old Guard' back to Wellington Barracks (the guardsmen march out of the left hand gate and march to the left as you face the Palace). If you follow them the 100 yards to Wellington Barracks you can see them perform the 'Falling out' ceremony and hear more music.

Or before the ceremony go to St James' Palace at about 10.30am. The 'Old Guard' come on parade, with some music and then march to Buckingham Palace, you can follow them to the Palace (about a 2-3 minute Walk). 

Does it take place every day?

Changing the Guard takes place at Buckingham Palace Forecourt every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It starts at 11.00am and lasts for about 45 minutes.

The Captain’s Inspection takes place at Buckingham Palace every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 3.00pm and every Sunday at 11.00am.

There is no ceremony on days when large events are held in the city centre, such as a State visit, the London Marathon or Trooping the Colour.

The Captain’s Inspection

As a parade this is a relatively new event, although the Guard is inspected every day in a tradition which reaches back to the formation of permanent Royal Guards by Henry VIII, it was, until recently, completed without ceremony. However King Charles III requested that there should be a ceremony of some description daily outside the Palaces. So now at Buckingham Palace, St James’s Palace and Windsor Castle on days when there isn’t a guard change the guard is inspected by the Captain of the Guard at 3.00pm to ensure the soldiers remain fit for the duty of guarding the Sovereign. Inspections take place at Buckingham Palace, St James’s Palace, and Windsor Castle.

As it is relatively new this ceremony is not so busy so at Buckingham Palace currently it is fairly easy to get to the railings and get a really great view (and photos). One of the bands of the Foot Guards attends and stands pretty much in the middle of the forecourt in a circle and plays a range of music, at the same time the guards parade out and the Captain will then inspect the guard, the ceremony lasts 30 minutes and is a great alternative to the Guard Change.

The Sunday Parade

On Sunday the Colour (the Regimental Flag) is incorporated into the inspection of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. The ceremony, known as the Sunday Parade, takes place at 11.00am instead of 3.00pm. Following the inspection the colour is ‘trooped’ through the guard while the national anthem is played. It is then marched back to St James’s Palace, escorted by the Guard, and lodged (marched off parade) in Friary Court.