What Is The Changing Of The Guard?

The changing of the guard is a ritual ceremony performed daily in the UK in the spring and summer where the soldiers protecting the Queen change their shifts. Although there are guard regiments across the UK, the most well known and visible example is outside Buckingham Palace in London. Here the home of the Queen is traditionally 'guarded' by a group of professional soldiers dressed in a distinctive uniform of red buttoned jacket, black trousers and a large plumed black hat. There are also different regiments within the Palace, including life guards. The guard outside the palace patrol for 24 hours a day, working in shifts: the change takes place every day at 11.30, and is accompanied by a marching band playing music from standards to modern pop songs. This occurs daily in spring and summertime, and every other day in the autumn and winter. The tradition began in the Tudor period with Henry VIII (1485-1509). The guard is regarded as containing some of the most elite soldiers in the British Army.