How the Changing of the Guard Works — The Complete Ceremony Explained

The Three Locations Most Visitors Don't Know About

Most visitors head straight to Buckingham Palace — but the Changing of the Guard ceremony in London is not a single-location event. The full Guard Mounting unfolds across three distinct and iconic Royal locations: Buckingham Palace, St. James's Palace, and Wellington Barracks. Understanding all three is the difference between watching a glimpse and witnessing the whole spectacle.

This is your expert, minute-by-minute guide to exactly what happens, where, and when.

The Changing of the Guard — Minute-by-Minute Timeline

10:25am — St. James's Palace: The Old Guard Assembles

The ceremony begins not at Buckingham Palace, but at St. James's Palace — the senior royal palace in London, located off The Mall on Marlborough Road. At 10:25am, the St. James's Palace detachment of the Old Guard forms up in Friary Court for a formal inspection by the Captain of The King's Guard.

Expert tip: Friary Court is one of the least-crowded and most atmospheric places to watch the Changing of the Guard. Arrive here early for an intimate, crowd-free view of the Old Guard inspection — something most visitors never see.

10:40am — Wellington Barracks: The New Guard Prepares

Simultaneously, at Wellington Barracks on Birdcage Walk — a short walk from Buckingham Palace — the New Guard assembles on the parade square for its own formal inspection. While awaiting the arrival of their Regimental Colour (the ceremonial flag of their regiment), the accompanying Regimental Band forms a circle and performs a programme of music.

Once the Colour arrives and is saluted, the New Guard is ready to march.

Expert tip: Wellington Barracks is one of the best — and least crowded — places to watch the Changing of the Guard. You'll see the New Guard up close, hear the band in full voice, and can follow the procession towards the Palace.

10:43am — The March Down The Mall Begins

At 10:43am, the St. James's Palace detachment of the Old Guard steps off down The Mall towards Buckingham Palace, preceded by a Regimental Band or Corps of Drums. Back at the Palace, the Buckingham Palace detachment of the Old Guard — already on duty — forms up in the forecourt and is inspected while awaiting their arrival.

The St. James's detachment enters the Palace forecourt via the South Centre Gate (to the left when facing the Palace) and takes up position beside the Buckingham Palace detachment on the left-hand side of the forecourt. The Old Guard is now complete and awaits the incoming New Guard.

10:57am — The New Guard Departs Wellington Barracks

At 10:57am, the New Guard steps off from Wellington Barracks, led by their Regimental Band, and marches towards Buckingham Palace along Birdcage Walk. This is one of the most visually dramatic moments of the entire ceremony — boots striking the pavement in unison, the band playing, the Regimental Colour carried proudly at the head of the column.

11:00am — The Forecourt Ceremony Begins at Buckingham Palace

At precisely 11:00am, the New Guard enters the Palace forecourt via the North Centre Gate (to the right when facing the Palace). The soldiers march in front of the Band and halt, facing the Old Guard across the forecourt.

The Band advances, performing the New Guard's Regimental Slow March — a defining musical moment of the whole ceremony.

The Key Exchange — Transfer of Palace Security

The Old Guard and New Guard Present Arms — a formal rifle salute — before the Captains of the Guard ceremonially hand over the Palace keys. This is the symbolic and ceremonial heart of the entire event: the formal transfer of responsibility for the security of Buckingham Palace and St. James's Palace from the Old Guard to the New.

When The King is in residence, the Foot Guards on the forecourt will also Present Arms as the King's Life Guard (Household Cavalry on horseback) passes between the Queen Victoria Memorial and Buckingham Palace.

Officers of both the Old and New Guard then salute the Senior Captain on parade with their swords before retiring to the Guard Room.

The Mid-Ceremony Pageantry

During the handover procedures, the Ensigns — carrying their respective Regimental Colours — patrol the forecourt from left to right in a display of precision and tradition. Officers not directly involved in the handover march in step along the west side of the Guards.

As each new sentry is posted at their position, a Corporal distributes special orders personally collected from the Palace by the Captain of the Guard.

Meanwhile, the Regimental Band moves to the centre of the forecourt, forms a semi-circle, and performs a programme of music — a mixture of military marches and, often to visitors' surprise, popular contemporary pieces. On occasions when Pipers accompany the Old Guard from St. James's Palace, they also perform at this point in the ceremony.

11:35am — The Old Guard Departs

At approximately 11:35am, the Guards are called to Attention. The Old Guard advances to its Regimental Slow March towards the New Guard. The Colours of the Old and New Guard exchange compliments in a formal farewell salute as the Old Guard wheels right and exits through the Centre Gate, preceded by the Band.

Once clear of the Palace, the Old Guard breaks into quick time and marches back to Wellington Barracks.

The New Guard Becomes The King's Guard

The New Guard — now officially The King's Guard — is given the order to Slope Arms and divides into two detachments:

• The St. James's Palace detachment, usually led by a Regimental Band or Corps of Drums, marches back down The Mall to lodge their Regimental Colour in the Guard Room at Friary Court, St. James's Palace.

• The Buckingham Palace detachment retires to the Palace Guard Room to assume their duties protecting the sovereign's official London residence.

The ceremony is complete.

Sentry Duty — What Happens After the Ceremony

The King's Guard at Buckingham Palace and St. James's Palace serve on duty for 24 or 48 hours. During that time, each Guardsman rotates between 2 hours on sentry duty and 4 hours off.

Every 10 minutes, a sentry will come to attention, slope arms, and march across their post — typically around 20 paces — repeating this four or five times before shouldering arms and returning to standing at ease. Sentries are never permitted to stand easy at their post. The orders read to every sentry at the beginning of their tour of duty are explicit:

"You may not eat, sleep, smoke, stand easy, sit or lie down during your tour of duty."

How the King's Guard Deals with Members of the Public

The Foot Guards are fully trained soldiers — not ceremonial performers — and are equipped and authorised to deal with threats and disturbances. Their response follows a clear, escalating protocol:

Stage 1: The sentry comes sharply to Attention — the crash of a studded ammunition boot on concrete is designed to command immediate attention — accompanied by a shout of "Stand back from the Guard" or similar order.

Stage 2: If the behaviour continues, the sentry slopes arms and repeats the command, making clear that further escalation will follow.

Stage 3 — The Official Challenge: The sentry slopes arms and moves the weapon to "port arms" — pointing directly at the individual. This is the final warning before physical action is taken.

Beyond this point, the sentry is authorised to detain the individual or seek assistance. In the event of a genuine armed threat, the sentry may, with permission (or in some circumstances without prior permission), discharge their weapon to stop the assailant.

These are working soldiers. Treat the King's Guard with the respect and distance they deserve.