We thought the Changing of the Guard was a short little ceremony with soliders in funny hats doing funny walks and saluting and whatnot (okay, not really, just being glib here). It was actually like 45 minutes long with a band and soldiers coming from the mall into the gates. They do some saluting and ceremonial stuff. The band plays... more

on sunday 17 may we went, waited for ages along with hundreds of others to see two men come out and two men go in. It had rained earlier but was sunny at 11am. very disappointing. We will kinow better next time. more

Changing of the Queen’s Guard is performed daily at Buckingham Palace from May to July and every second day in other months. Two of the five regiments of Household Division Foot Guards usually perform the ceremony in the famous red tunics and bearskin caps (one regiment relieves the other, and in winter they wear grey overcoats). However any Commonwealth regiment... more

I attended the Changing of the Guard on a Thursday with London Walks. I was actually under the impression that the COTG was just a bunch of folks saluting each other in front of Buckingham Palace for a few minutes. It is actually a very elaborate ceremony involving dozens of participants marching in from several directions. All of the quirks... more

Definitely go to see the guard Change despite the crowds. However here is some advice to make most of your visit. Guard Change starts at approx 11.10 (not 11.30 as some books may say) and finishes approx 12.10. You do NOT want to see the whole thing. The thing to see is the Guards with Band marching into the palace.... more

Changing of the Guard is also held at Windsor - but be warned it DOESN'T happen if it's raining or even if the weather is damp! more

My family and I attended the changing of the guard on Saturday July 28, 2007 and it was amazing!! It was hard to see the actual changing within the gates becasue of the multitude of people, but the bands and the soldiers wer wonderful and easy to see. We arrived in the circle in front of the palace and there... more

The best part was the fact that a dog was leading the march! See picture... more

My family and I visited the UK just last week, and decided to go to the changing of the guard one day while we were in London. After waiting about an hour outside the gates, the new guard began marching down The Mall. At first everything was quite alright and it was nice seeing the regality of the ceremony. About... more