Dates and times

 

Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace

What time is it?

Changing the Guard, or Guard Mounting as it is officially called, takes place outside Buckingham Palace every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from 10.45am and lasts around 45 minutes, with the actual 'handover' takes place at 11am. 

This free London event is very popular, so be sure to arrive early to secure a spot with a good view, However the actual ceremony in front of the gates itself is basically 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 and 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, Friday and Sunday. It starts at 10:45am and lasts for about 45 minutes. 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.

 

Changing the Guard at Windsor Castle

Changing the Guard also takes place at Windsor Castle every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 11am and the Changing of The King's Life Guard usually takes place daily at Horse Guards Parade at 11am (10am on Sundays).

 

Checking dates and times before you plan your visit

We know that many of you are planning well in advance and are looking to plan your visit to London and to see Changing the Guard.

It is really important to double check dates, unfortunately we wont always know until late on but activities such as major Sporting Events, State Visits and Trooping the Colour are all events that can affect the ceremony.

However purely as a general guide we expect the following schedules:

 

Buckingham Palace

March and April every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday

May, June and July - daily

August onwards every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday

 

Windsor Castle

March and April every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday

May, June and July - daily

August onwards every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday

 

Particularly during the winter months the ceremony may be cancelled due to bad weather often at the last minute, we aim to post any last minute changes and updates to the ceremony on our Facebook page.

 

Times:

11.00am Buckingham, Palace

11.00am Windsor Castle

During the summer months the ceremony is very popular and we therefore recommend arriving early

The ceremonies finish at 12 noon.