One of the benefits of living where we live, in London, is that we often walk by Buckingham Palace. It is only 15-20 minutes from our flat, so I sometimes walk by just to see what’s happening. Of course, the ceremonial guards are there, standing rigidly in front of their guard houses. And the crowds are there, peering through the gates. In the winter, when the guards wear their heavy grey uniforms, the crowds were sparse.
As spring arrived, and the guards broke out those classic red uniforms, the crowds grew. Every day there is a ceremony: the Changing of the Guard on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; the Captain’s Inspection on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday; and on some Sundays, a Parade. It is quite a spectacle to see! See my gallery for photo and video highlights.
It’s interesting to watch – and the bands are excellent. (They play ABBA? yes!) Read more about the origins of these ceremonies, which date back more than 500 years. The challenge, though, is to get a good view!
If you go: It is critical to arrive at least an hour (or two!) before the event, because of the crowds, and because some troops start moving earlier. Think about where to stand. The guard movements page includes two tiny maps showing where they travel.
David Kotz 