During the ceremony, also known as “Guard Mounting,” one regiment takes over from another. The New Guard, who during the course of the ceremony become The Queen’s Guard, march to Buckingham Palace from Wellington Barracks. They are in charge of looking after the Queen’s safety while she is residing in her royal residency.
The ceremony lasts about 45 minutes between 10.15-11.45 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from January to March, weather permitting. It typically takes place daily at 11:30 a.m. from April until the end of July.
Officials have also announced the closure of the Palace of Westminster, where the Houses of Parliament are situated and marked by the famous clock and bell of Big Ben. A statement read, “In light of the tragic events in Manchester and the Prime Minister’s announcement raising the national security threat level to critical, the police have advised that the Palace of Westminster should be closed to non-passholders today, Wednesday 24 May.
“As a consequence all tours, events and banqueting will be cancelled with immediate effect. This arrangement will remain in place until the advice changes.”
British Prime Minister Theresa May said Tuesday that the country’s terror threat level was rising from “severe” to “critical.”
The move came less than 24 hours after a suicide bombing outside Manchester Arena at the end of an Ariana Grande performance killed 22 people and hospitalized 59 others, including multiple children and teenagers.
Following her announcement, the military was also deployed to help police. The Metropolitan Police, based at Scotland Yard, is taking the lead and said in a statement, “The public will see more armed officers, working alongside their neighborhood and specialist colleagues on proactive operations and targeted patrols, both on foot and in vehicles.
“As part of the pre-planned and tested deployment under Operation Temperer the military will be working under the MPS command structure to provide static armed guarding at key locations. This will include Buckingham Palace, Downing Street, Embassies and the Palace of Westminster. This will free up armed officers to carry out patrols.”
On Tuesday, Queen Elizabeth expressed her shock following the “act of barbarity” that claimed the lives of 22 victims at the Ariana Grande concert.
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