Changing the Guard ceremony switches days as security stepped up after Berlin terror attack

Tradition: Soldiers from the Grenadier Guards taking part in the Changing of the Guard ceremony outside Buckingham Palace
Clive Gee/PA Wire
Jamie Bullen5 January 2017

The traditional Changing the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace is switching to fixed days this autumn and winter as security is stepped up in the wake of the Berlin terror attack.

The time-honoured military spectacle normally takes place on alternate days from August to March but will now happen on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays during this period.

Its scheduled time has also been brought forward by half an hour with the ceremony taking place at 11am, instead of 11.30am.

Last month, Scotland Yard announced it was boosting security measures at the spectacle to combat fears of a Berlin-style truck attack after 12 people were killed by a lorry which careered into crowds of people at a Christmas market.

For the next three months, roads around Buckingham Palace will shut to traffic at certain times of the day while additional barriers have been put in place to maintain safety for guard movements.

Tourist attraction: Crowds watch the Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace
John Stillwell/PA Wire

Changes to the autumn and winter schedule start on January 16 and the implementation of fixed days and an earlier time aim to reduce disruption following the new road closures.

A spokesman for The Royal Parks said: "From January 16, Changing of the Guard will take place on fixed days in the Autumn and Winter; on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays between 10.15am and 11.45am.

"This new programme allows the public, visitors, motorists and businesses to forward plan following new road closures on Guard Change days which were introduced in December as part of ongoing security measures aimed at keeping the public safe."

From April to July, Changing the Guard takes place every day.

The Army has said it has not made a decision whether to switch the daily event to set days in the summer as well

During the traditional ceremony, which is also known as Guard Mounting, the Old Guard - the soldiers currently on duty - line up in front of the Palace and are replaced by the New Guard which arrives from Wellington Barracks.

The New Guard is accompanied by a Band or Corps of Drums and the ceremony represents a formal handover of responsibilities.

The duty is usually carried out by one of the five Foot Guards Regiments of the Household Division.

The ceremony remains one of London’s most popular attractions as thousands of tourists visit the Queen’s official residence to see the soldiers in their red tunics and bearskins.

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