Watch the main ceremony
Arrive around 10:15–10:30 near Buckingham Palace. You will see more of the formal handover, but crowds are largest and views through the railings can be limited.
Official schedule, made useful
Changing of the Guard today [Buckingham Palace]
Check whether the full Guard Change is scheduled at Buckingham Palace today, then choose when to arrive and which movement to watch.
Saturday, 22 August 2026
Changing of the Guard is scheduled today
Main ceremony11:00
Recommended arrival10:15–10:30
⚠️ Ceremonies may be changed or cancelled at short notice.
Choose one strategy
What to do and where to go
Do not try to see everything: distances and crowds make a complete circuit unrealistic. Pick the experience you care about most.
See the guards marching
Choose St James's Palace for the 10:43 departure, Wellington Barracks for 10:57, or The Mall for the march. These can provide a clearer view than waiting at the Palace railings.
Verified times
Official troop movements
The Household Division publishes these times for full Guard Change days. Arrive early: security, traffic and operational needs can alter proceedings.
- Old Guard leaves St James's Palace.I’m here now
- New Guard leaves Wellington Barracks for Buckingham Palace.
- St James's Palace relief leaves Buckingham Palace.
- St James's Palace contingent leaves St James's Palace.
- Old Guard leaves Buckingham Palace.
- St James's Palace Guard leaves Buckingham Palace.
Plan the next few days
The next 14 days
Before you set out
Which viewpoint should you choose?
Each location shows a different part of the event. Choose one and stay there: following the entire route through the crowds is rarely realistic.
Buckingham Palace
Best for: the formal ceremonyYou can watch the handover outside the Palace and hear the music, but railings and large crowds can restrict the view. Arrive around 10:15–10:30 and stay here for the ceremony.
St James's Palace
Best for: the Old Guard departureA useful choice for seeing guards at closer range before they march. The official departure is 10:43 on full Guard Change days; you will not see the whole Buckingham Palace ceremony.
Wellington Barracks
Best for: the New Guard departureThe New Guard officially leaves at 10:57. This can offer a clearer view of uniforms and music on the move, although barriers and crowds around the barracks vary.
The Mall
Best for: marching and photographsChoose The Mall if seeing troops march matters more than the formal handover. You will get less ceremony detail, and the best side depends on that day’s movements and restrictions.
Map view
Locate the viewing points
The map locates the four viewing areas. It does not draw a route because visiting all of them during one ceremony is unrealistic.
4 locations available on the map.
Horse Guards, Whitehall
What about the mounted King's Life Guard?
The King's Life Guard is a separate ceremony at Horse Guards, Whitehall. The Army says its guard change is daily at 11:00, or 10:00 on Sundays; events or rehearsals can move it to 16:00. Check the official source before setting out.
Understand the ceremony without losing your morning
The formal ceremony takes place in front of Buckingham Palace, but much of what the public can see clearly happens during the marches between the palaces and barracks. A useful visit starts with a choice: watch the protocol at Buckingham Palace or see the troops moving.
Source, freshness and limits
Dates come from the Household Division’s official schedule, checked 16 August 2026. We preserve the published event type: “Guard Change”, “Sunday Parade” and “Captain’s Inspection” are not treated as the same thing. If a month is not published or an update fails, the page says “not confirmed” rather than inferring a date from the weekday.
Check the official Household Division schedule →
Changing of the Guard questions
Does the Changing of the Guard happen every day?
No. Official summaries describe a normal pattern, but the detailed monthly calendar is the source used here for a specific date.
Is the Changing of the Guard free?
Yes. Watching the outdoor movements and ceremony is free and no ticket is needed.
Where is the best place to watch?
Buckingham Palace suits the formal ceremony. St James's Palace, Wellington Barracks or The Mall can provide better views of marching troops. The best spot depends on what you want to see.