Guard Mounting
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United Kingdom
Guard Mounting, popularly known as the Changing of the Guard is performed daily in spring and summer, and every other day in autumn and winter, at Buckingham Palace. The ceremony consists, very literally, of the changing of the guard. Guards are present 24 hours a day and work in shifts; the ceremony entails the new shift marching to take the place of the old shift, accompanied by a Guards band, which plays any music from traditional marching tunes to familiar pop songs.
The Queen's Guard consists of different regiments at different times, but is generally provided by the five Foot Guards regiments whose full dress consists of a tall bearskin hat and red jacket. Additionally, it is not just restricted to the British Army. The Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and units from Commonwealth countries also take part.
Commonwealth Units to have mounted the Queen's Guard in London
- 117th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force; 1916
- 1st Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment; 1940
- 1st Battalion, The Toronto Scottish Regiment; 1940
- Canadian Coronation Contingent; 1953
- Australian Coronation Contingent; 1953
- Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery; 1964
- 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment; 1988
- 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry; 1998
- 2nd Battalion, The Jamaica Regiment; 1999
- 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment; 2000
- Australian Federation Guard; 2001
At the British Empire Exhibition in London in 1924/25, a detachment of nine officers of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police mounted a guard at the Canadian pavilion.
Commonwealth Units to have mounted the Queen's Life Guard in London
The ceremony takes place daily at 11:00 A.M. and last about 45 minutes. It does not take place in wet weather. Similar ceremonies occur at Windsor Castle, Horse Guards, and the Tower of London.
Canada
A similar ceremony to the one performed in the United Kingdom is performed daily during the summer months at Rideau Hall and Parliament Hill in Ottawa by the combined Ceremonial Unit made up of the two Canadian regiments of Foot Guards. (See Ceremonial Guard)
United States
A permanent guard is mounted at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington DC. This is performed by a single member of the 3rd United States Infantry Regiment, who marches along a 63 foot walkway in exactly 21 paces, before turning to face the tomb for exactly 21 seconds, then retracing his steps. The guard is changed every half hour during daylight in the summer, and every hour during daylight in the winter and at night.
Denmark
At Amalienborg, the Royal Residence in Copenhagen, the Royal Guard, mounted by the Royal Danish Life Guards is on duty for 24 hours and the relief takes place every day at 12 o'clock noon. The parade starts off from the barracks by the Rosenborg Palace and there are three types:
- Kongevagt (King's Watch) - when the monarch is in residence - accompanied by the Royal Guards music band.
- Løjtnantsvagt (Lieutenant Watch) - when Prince Henrik is residing at the palace or Crown Prince Frederik or Prince Joachim are residing at Amalienborg in the capacity of regents - accompanied by flutes and drums.
- Palævagt (Manor Watch) - the Crown Prince or Prince Joachim are in residence but not in the capacity of regents or the Palace is uninhabited - the Guards march through Copenhagen without music accompaniment.
Sweden
The guard at the Royal Palace in Stockholm is found by the Royal Guards. The changing of the guard ceremony usually takes about 40 minutes. It starts with the arrival of the new guard (with the military band in front). Normally, the new guard brings its own colours in the front. Then a parade for the colours starts, the new sentries march away, the new and old guards change places. After that, the military band performs a selection of music (about 15 minutes). When the new sentries are posted, both guards draw up for the final part of the ceremony. The old guard marches away, the new guard troops the colours and the military band leaves the Outer Courtyard.
External links
- The Monarchy's page on the subject (http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page378.asp)
- Schedule of regiments and dates (http://www.army.mod.uk/ceremonialandheritage/household/queens_guard.htm)
- Changing of the Guard in Ottawa (http://www.army.dnd.ca/Cere_Guard/web_page_english/The_Ceremonial_Guard.htm)
- Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery (http://www.homeofheroes.com/gravesites/unknowns/0_unknowns_sentinels.html)