Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace

Book this through Girlguiding CHQ a few months in advance - usually no more that three parties are allowed per day. The Guard changes on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace (weather permitting) every other day at 11:30am (CHQ know which days about two months in advance) apart from April-July when it is every day. The guard is also changed at Horseguards Parade around the same time.

We went to have a look at the soldiers forming up in Wellington barracks a couple of hundred yards down Birdcage Walk beforehand as we were a little early. Back at the Palace it's really impressive pushing your way through the crowds of tourists outside the gates, presenting your letter of authorisation to the police on duty, and then being ushered into the viewing area to the left of the forecourt.

You need to be there about 30 minutes before the action starts and there really isn't anywhere to sit apart from on the gravel, so prepare for a few moans. Oh, and you're not allowed to take pictures from inside the Palace grounds. Once the new guard arrives from the barracks there's some shouting and some music (including some modern tunes) and a representative of the new and the old guard march around together inspecting the boundaries. This is when they come over and speak to the groups and you realise there are real normal people under the uniforms. Last time one of the soldiers even let our Brownies hold his sword for a bit!

Perhaps soon you might see one of the females now doing guard duty at the Palace - what an example for the Brownies!

You're allowed to leave shortly after the old Guard leave, and I'd seriously suggest a quick visit to the park opposite which has 'children only' toilets! If it's a nice day this is also a good place for a picnic lunch.

Easy to get too - only about a 15 minute walk from Victoria station. Contact CHQ for the appropriate application form (bookable only through ICANDO) on 020 7834 6424 or icando@girlguiding.org.uk

Webmaster - March 2007

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