Military Photos Commonwealth
The King’s Troop takes on historic role as The Queen’s Life Guard
Londoners can now enjoy the spectacle of a different uniform and a different army regiment at Horse Guards on Whitehall.
The historic state helmets and breastplates of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment will be replaced for four weeks by the iconic full dress jacket and busby of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery.
The change is taking place while the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment takes a break from ceremonial duties for equine training in Norfolk.
Major Mark Edward, Commanding Officer of The King’s Troop, said, “It’s a tremendous honour to undertake the role of The Queen’s Life Guard at Horse Guards, which was once the entrance for Buckingham Palace and St James’s Palace.
“We pride ourselves on our excellence at ceremonial duties, and I am sure residents of London and tourists will be delighted to see The King’s Troop back again.”
Sentries have been posted in the same location since the Restoration in the 1600s, when the Palace of Westminster was the monarch’s main residence.
These days, guards on horseback are on parade from 10am to 4pm, with soldiers on foot staying at the gates until 8pm, when they are locked.
The ceremony of Changing of The Queen’s Life Guard has remained unchanged since the reign of Charles II. On arrival at Horse Guards Parade, the Old Guard forms up on the North side of the roped enclosure, and the New Guard on the South side. As the new Guard arrives each Guard carries their Standard, and the trumpeters of both Old and New Guards sound a Royal Salute on the arrival of the New Guard and on the departure of the Old Guard. When both Guards have formed up in the enclosure, the Corporal Major, Senior Non-Commissioned Officer and the sentries of the first relief of he New Guard leave for the Guard Room which is then handed over. The sentries of the Old Guard, after being relieved, rejoin the remainder of the Old Guard on the North side of the enclosure.
The ceremony takes place every day of the year irrespective of weather at 11am (10am on Sundays) and is free to watch, on Horse Guards Parade.
The King’s Troop takes on historic role as The Queen’s Life Guard
Londoners can now enjoy the spectacle of a different uniform and a different army regiment at Horse Guards on Whitehall.
The historic state helmets and breastplates of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment will be replaced for four weeks by the iconic full dress jacket and busby of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery.
The change is taking place while the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment takes a break from ceremonial duties for equine training in Norfolk.
Major Mark Edward, Commanding Officer of The King’s Troop, said, “It’s a tremendous honour to undertake the role of The Queen’s Life Guard at Horse Guards, which was once the entrance for Buckingham Palace and St James’s Palace.
“We pride ourselves on our excellence at ceremonial duties, and I am sure residents of London and tourists will be delighted to see The King’s Troop back again.”
Sentries have been posted in the same location since the Restoration in the 1600s, when the Palace of Westminster was the monarch’s main residence.
These days, guards on horseback are on parade from 10am to 4pm, with soldiers on foot staying at the gates until 8pm, when they are locked.
The ceremony of Changing of The Queen’s Life Guard has remained unchanged since the reign of Charles II. On arrival at Horse Guards Parade, the Old Guard forms up on the North side of the roped enclosure, and the New Guard on the South side. As the new Guard arrives each Guard carries their Standard, and the trumpeters of both Old and New Guards sound a Royal Salute on the arrival of the New Guard and on the departure of the Old Guard. When both Guards have formed up in the enclosure, the Corporal Major, Senior Non-Commissioned Officer and the sentries of the first relief of he New Guard leave for the Guard Room which is then handed over. The sentries of the Old Guard, after being relieved, rejoin the remainder of the Old Guard on the North side of the enclosure.
The ceremony takes place every day of the year irrespective of weather at 11am (10am on Sundays) and is free to watch, on Horse Guards Parade.