Where to watch the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace?

In honor of Her Majesty the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, here's a post on Buckingham Palace and the guards.

In this post:  when the Queen waved to me, American high school marching band origins, and why President Obama might move to London

Watching the changing of the guard is likely to be on most people's to-do list while visiting London.  While a visit to Buckingham Palace and the surrounding parks is lovely, keep in mind that you don't see much during the changing of the guard per se.  I recommend a visit to Windsor Castle, watching the changing of the guard there, where there is ample viewing space and more pomp and circumstance.

Buckingham Palace itself is only open to visitors from late July to late September or early October each year, while the Queen is away on holiday.

Year-round you can visit The Royal Mews, where you can learn about how the Queen gets around, both by horse-drawn carriage and motor car. It is also one of the "finest working stables still in existence", and you can see the magnificent horses and the carriages used for royal and State occasions, for an entrance fee.

So you decide to venture over to see what you can at Buckingham and the Changing of the Guard.  The actual ceremony itself takes place at 11:30 each day from May - July and alternate days the rest of the year.

I'd recommend arriving about 10:30 and choosing to start at either the Household Cavalry or the Guard's Museum.  At the Cavalry, you can watch the mounted regiment change at about 11:00, where the horses come out with riders all dressed in their beautiful coats and shining accessories like real knights.  Then walk (quickly!) through St James Park to be near Buckingham to catch a glimpse of the changing of the guard at 11:30.

The Regiment Change at the Household Cavalry (ps this is where they will have the 2012 Beach Volleyball Competitions, making good use of all this sand the horses parade around in)

Alternatively, head to the Guard's Museum, on Bird Cage Walk just near the Palace, and watch the Marching Band warming up and preparing for the Changing of the Guard.  They usually strike up the band about 10:45.  Then, you are literally right across from the Palace in order to see the changing of the guard, albeit from the crowds. 

Marching Band at the Guard's Museum - makes me marvel at how the American high school marching band design is based upon this model which has been the Royal ceremony since the 1400's!

Those who want the best view must line up outside the large gates surrounding the palace forecourt about an hour prior to the ceremony, depending on the time of year (obviously in the summer you'll need at least an hour, in the winter months 15 minutes before the start might get you a good spot).

I was fascinated to learn that these guys are not just ceremonial tourist attractions.  They are very real soldiers, many of whom have experienced combat.  The responsibility of guarding dates back to the time of Henry VII (1485-1509).  These are some of the best soldiers in the British Army and have fought in virtually every major area of conflict with great distinction since the 17th Century. They also take an active role in protecting their Sovereign; at night they patrol the grounds of both Buckingham Palace and St. James's Palace.

Once while watching the changing of the guard with friends who were here to visit London, we actually SAW THE QUEEN, as she returned from her morning tea or service or something, she came through the gates near the Green Park side of the forecourt, a three-car procession - a car in front and one behind her beautiful car - and even though she was in her vehicle, and there were loads of people cheering and all, we do insist that she waved right at us!

After the changing of the guard is complete, if the weather is nice, take a stroll through St James park.  There's a nice, but small, children's playground on the southwest corner of the pond/lake.  Or walk through Green Park to the north.  Sorry, but you're not allowed in the Buckingham Palace gardens, which is the largest private garden in London, and it should be, since it's the Queen's backyard.  Guess who has the second largest private garden in all of London?  The Prime Minister?  No.  Prince Charles?  Sorry.  Kate and Will?  Jamie Oliver?  No, no, no.  It would be the United States Ambassador.  He has an amazing residence in Regent's Park, called Winfield House, and he told us so himself (I got to visit, lucky me) and even said Obama wondered if he took the right position after seeing this marvelous London "palatial" residence on his visit to London last year!

Now, when you're hungry after all this royal viewing, I recommend heading to the Wagamama between Palace Street and Bressenden Place.

After a great meal there, you might even have enough energy to continue your visit of the best of London's sightseeing by making the short .5 mile walk down Victoria Street to Westminster Abbey, then on to see the Parliament, Jewel Tower and Big Ben and cross the Thames to finish the day at the London Eye!  Whew!

Congratulations Queen Elizabeth II, you've got a wonderful country and a very lovely city here in London, indeed!