Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guards

Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of The Queen. It has got 775 rooms, including 92 offices, 140 rooms and 78 bathrooms! When there is a royal flag on the roof of the palace, it means the Queen is at home. Before 1993 the palace was closed to the public. Now it opens in summerBuckingham Palace is the official London residence of The Queen. It has got 775 rooms, including 92 offices, 140 rooms and 78 bathrooms! When there is a royal flag on the roof of the palace, it means the Queen is at home. Before 1993 the palace was closed to the public. Now it opens in summer.

The Changing of the Guard takes place in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace at 11.30 every day in summer, every other day in winter, and lasts about 45 minutes. The New Guard marches to the Palace from Wellington Barracks with a Guards band, the Old Guard hands over in a ceremony during which the sentries are changed and then returns to barracks. The New Guard then marches to St James's Palace leaving the detachment at Buckingham Palace.