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The Horse Guards Parade in London is a major parade ground found in central London, formerly the tiltyard of the Palace of Whitehall, where Henry VIII organized tournaments. The buildings were completed in 1755 and were designed by William Kent. The Horse Guards Parade served as a car park for civil servants during the 20th century but was closed in the 1990s. The reason was the mortar attack on 10 Downing Street, after which vehicles are not allowed in the area.

The parade ground hosts the annual celebrations of Queen Elizabeth’s birthday. It has been used for various parades, reviews, and other ceremonies for four centuries.

Visitors can observe the Guard Changing Ceremony every Sunday at 10 am and at 11 am on weekdays. The ceremony is performed by the mounted troupers of the Household Cavalry who make the Queen’s Life Guard. They guard the entrances to the Buckingham Palace and the St James’s Palace. On the official birthday of Queen Elizabeth, the Trooping of the Colour is staged here as well. This ceremony has been performed by the Commonwealth and British armies since the 17th centuries, with its roots going back much earlier. The regiments’ flags or colors served as rallying points on battlefields. Marching slowly with their colors among the soldiers, the regiments enabled them to recognize the color of their regiment.

Where is Horse Guards Parade: Whitehall, SW1

How to get to Horse Guards Parade: Subway - Jubilee line to Westminster station.

Changing of the Guard ceremony is each day at 11am

Horse Guards Parade Whitehall London

Old Admiralty Building Horse Guards Parade London

Old Admiralty Building Horse Guards Parade London




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