Well, here’s 5+1 amazing facts you ever wanted to know but were afraid to ask about the soldiers that guard Her Majesty. Normally, this is to be avoided but guards may drink quite a bit of water on hot days and leaving their post is not an option. After all, she’s their queen too! The British royal family are a favorite subject of the media worldwide. These guards are so well trained that they even faint according to protocol. Their lavish lifestyles and quirky customs have captured the curiosity of many. However, unlike at the London royal residences, the royal guards in Scotland only stand to attention when the Majesty herself comes to visit. Bearskins (yes, they are made from the fur of black bears) are worn by the Queen’s guard in order to make them taller and more intimidating. That’s the only movements they are allowed. A City Wonders tour is the product of meticulous research, detailed planning, and a passion for providing customers with travel experiences they will cherish forever. No, seriously! Those massive bearskin hats, 18 inches in height, can weigh up to nine pounds! Covid-19 Update: We Are Back! As of 2018, an estimated 4,500 Commonwealth citizens were serving in the British Armed Forces — most of them in the army. They make a tempting target and they’re so heavy that they could easily break the guard’s neck if shot or struck, so in combat situations, the soldiers are instructed to fit the chinstrap below their nose. Although they’re a popular spectacle for visitors to Britain, wishing to observe as they perform their iconic Changing of the Guard, these guards are in active service to the Queen and must carry themselves with the upmost discipline. Royal guards are trained to “faint to attention” – meaning faint while still maintaining their attention pose. While their discipline may prevent them from leaving their posts, the bladder discipline of the Queen’s Guard can leave a lot to be desired. When a load of Asian tourists came and set up a huge picture, I waited until the cameraman was counting down to take the pic then marched up and down my post until they all left. The weight of the bearskin can present a risk, however. As soon as they feel light-headed, they are expected to maintain their impeccable composure and “faint to attention,” which is why you sometimes see photographs of fallen guardsmen lying face down and ramrod straight. The regiment on duty are always joined by their regimental band to take part in the larger ceremonies such as the changing of the guard, and it’s not uncommon for them to play something other than patriotic songs and regimental marches. The guards will then slope arms and the reliefs will be formed up to go round the castle and change the sentries – during this process, the band typically plays a selection of music. Shift change of the Queens Guard guarding gate to Buckingham Palace. The Queen’s guards are so dedicated to their position that they can’t even leave their post for a toilet break during their working shift. The story of how they became a part of the British military tradition is also interesting: They were worn by Napoleon’s elite forces and were captured as trophies by the British forces at the Battle of Waterloo. With City Wonders it's not just facts, our passionate guides tell you the stories that bring the sights to life. They may not smile, but the Queen’s Guard can still enjoy a lighter moment. However, if you fail to do so or because there’s just not enough time to warn you, they’ll knock you over. The duty of the Queen’s Guard is to protect all the residences of the British monarch, so while they’re mostly associated with Buckingham Palace in Central London, they can also be seen at Windsor Castle, St James’s Palace, or the Tower of London. By continuing to navigate the site, you agree to the use of cookies. People will do almost anything to get the notoriously stern-faced guards to crack a smile, but what they don’t realise is that doing so could cost them big time. Traditionally the protection of Queen Elizabeth II and her London residence, Buckingham Palace, is the duty of the Queen’s Guard. They wear the hats in order to intimidate their enemies. Identifying the Regiments. Although we do not recommend provoking them to do so, the can speak (or more specifically yell) if visitors come to close to them or acts aggressively. The Guardsman on Reddit confirmed from his own experience that a little movement can go a long way: “Some drunk Frenchmen who thought it would be funny to run past me and climb the fence […] I presented my bayonet at them. From a distance the full dress uniforms worn by the men of the five Regiments of Foot Guards look identical. If you happen to get in their way, you’ll hear them shout “MAKE WAY FOR THE QUEEN’S GUARD”. But their attempts are in vain. Rather than being a ceremonial regiment like the pike-wielding Yeomen of the Guard or the feathered Royal Company of Archers (the UK has no shortage of this sort of thing), this is a designation given to combat troops who perform this role as just another operation, much like deployments overseas or combat operations. The Queen’s royal guards have got some neck. As soon as the guard begins to feel dizzy, he must remain at attention and keep his position even when he falls. IamA Queens Guard I stand outside Buckingham palace and other royal residences AMA! Because we love these facts and we also love writing, here’s one more. During the great Battle of Waterloo, as the British defeated Napoleon’s army they collected the bearskin hats from the corpses of Napoleon’s men and brought them home as trophies. But I have never carried any.”, “We are legally allowed to attack and kill people that pose a threat to the life of myself or others.”, Buckingham Palace, London residence of the British Monarch, from the Victoria Memorial on The Mall. While we might generally associate these red tunic clad guards with Buckingham Palace, they actually protect many other royal landmarks too. Curiously, these hats are secured under the nose of the guards, as oppose to under the chin. In fact, because standing still carries potential health risks, every 10 minutes or so they “turn to the left, march about 10 paces, turn around, and go back to standing still”. At the 2017 wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, both Harry and Prince William wore the dress uniform of the Blues and Royals. “The best one I’ve heard was the Darth Vader theme tune [the Imperial March] and then Indiana Jones.”, Read another story from us: The Contents of Queen Victoria’s Coffin Showed Her True Love for Prince Albert, The Guardsman also revealed one of the many ways he has of keeping himself entertained: “When I’m really bored I like to mess people’s pictures up. “They sometimes throw out funny songs […] every now and then,” said the anonymous Redditer. The French Emperor Napoleon dressed his imperial guards in similar hats while he was in power in the early 19th Century. And that’s not all, these hats get even heavier when they get wet - and let’s face it, that’s pretty often in London. All of our guides are experts in their field, We only hire fluent English-speakers so nothing is ever lost in translation, We focus on the little details and anecdotes that make City Wonders so special. In Scotland’s capital Edinburgh, the Queen’s Guard can be found at Palace of Holyroodhouse and Edinburgh Castle, but unlike the London locations where they are on duty all year round, they only stand guard when Her Majesty is actually in residence. The story of how they became a part of the British military tradition is also interesting: They were worn by Napoleon’s elite forces and were captured as trophies by the British forces at the Battle of Waterloo. They were arrested and charged with trespassing on the Queen’s property.”, London – June 9, 2018: A view of some of the drummers during the Queens birthday celebrations of Trooping the Colour. (the article continues after the ad). This is why the tend to faint just like toy soldiers and end up facing down most of the times, instead of fainting in a more crumpled position. It’s not often you get an opportunity to quote Toy Story when writing about military discipline, but the demands of standing to attention in the sweltering summer sun whilst wearing a heavy bearskin helmet are so likely to result in fainting that the Queen’s Guard are instructed to faint in a certain way. Though the role is traditionally fulfilled by the Horse Guards and the Foot Guards, mounted and infantry regiments who have been awarded special guards status in the past, other regiments are now often called upon for this special duty.
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