Hotel for Changing of the Guard

The Georgian House Hotel is a great place to stay if you are planning to see the Changing of the Guard.  It is an easy walk away so you have plenty of time to enjoy your breakfast before heading to Buckingham Palace to get a good place to view the proceedings.

History of the Guard

The proper name of the ceremony known as 'Changing of the Guard' is actually Guard Mounting. In this - one of the oldest and most familiar of all royal ceremonies - a new guard exchanges duty with the Old Guard, drawn from one of the regiments of Foot Guards. The handover is accompanied by a Guards band. The music played ranges from traditional military marches to songs from the shows and even familiar pop songs.

Since 1660, Household Troops have guarded the Sovereign and the Royal Palaces. Until 1689, the Sovereign lived mainly at the Palace of Whitehall and was guarded there by the Household Cavalry. They still mount guard at Horse Guards Arch today, although occasionally units such as The King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, take over to enable the Household Cavalry to carry out their operational commitments.

In 1689, the court moved to St James's Palace, which was guarded by the Foot Guards. When Queen Victoria moved into Buckingham Palace in 1837, the Queen's Guard remained at St James's Palace, with a detachment guarding Buckingham Palace, as it still does today. When The Queen is in residence, there are four sentries at the front of the building; when she is away there are two.

The ceremony of Changing of the Guard

The Queen's Guard usually consists of Foot Guards in full-dress uniform of red tunics and bearskins; if they have operational commitments, other infantry units such as the Brigade of Ghurkhas take part instead. Units from Commonwealth realms occasionally take turn in Guard Mounting. In May 1998, Canadian soldiers from Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry mounted Guard at Buckingham Palace for the first time since the Coronation in 1953. In March 2001 The Royal Gibraltar Regiment took part in the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace, alongside the Scots Guards. It was the first time the Royal Gibraltar Regiment had carried out guard duty at the Palace.

Location for Changing of the Guard

Buckingham Palace - Changing of the Guard takes place in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace at 11.30 am, and lasts about 45 minutes. In April, May and June 2003 it will take place every day. There is no Changing of the Guard in very wet weather.

Horse Guards Arch - the Changing of the Guard takes place daily at 11 am (10 am on Sundays) and lasts about half an hour; it is normally held on Horse Guards Parade by the arch of Horse Guards Building.

Hotels for Changing of the Guard

The Georgian House Hotel is located just 10min walk from Buckingham Palace and offers a variety of rooms, prices and services. You can even enjoy a morning run before the delicious Full English breakfast at Georgian House Hotel.

For more information visit www.royal.gov.uk. 

Georgian House Hotel is ideally situated in a very central location, so visiting sights all over London is quick and easy. Why not book Georgian House Hotel when you plan your trip to see the Changing of the Guard? You can book online or email to make a reservation on reception@georgianhousehotel.co.uk, or telephone on 0044(0)207 834 1438.