This morning we got out early to view the "Changing of the Guard" at Horse Guards Arch. We arrived for the what we thought was the 10am changing which it turns out was 4pm today. Rather then head back home, we walked along the Mall towards Buckingham Palace where we were able to get up pretty close to some guards.
Then we continued on our walk into St. James's Park, passing by wildflowers and fountains.
After naps, C and I made a second attempt to view some horses. When we arrived there were already some guards dressed in black mounted on horses. A few minutes later we heard "klop, klop, klop" and saw about 12 horses coming down the street. They turned towards us and headed into the parade grounds.
According to the guides, these guards are called the Queen's Life Guard and are the mounted troopers of the Household Cavalry who guard the official entrance to St. James's Palace and Buckingham Palace.
For the first few minutes both sets of guards faced one another. Then a couple of the red mounties headed into the stable.
C was a struggling a bit to understand what it meant for the guards to be 'on' or 'off' duty. Each time I tried to explain it to her, she'd tell me that "(duty) was potty talk".
Nothing happened for another 15 minutes and then all of a sudden, horses emerged from the archway. They joined the others in black and then they all headed out to Buckingham Palace. Once they were away, the calvalry in red left the parade grounds.
Once the horse guards left, C and I walked through the archway where we found some guards standing on the grounds. C was a bit scared of them, especially when they stomped their feet, but she was brave enough to stand next to one for a photo.
It wouldn't be a trip out without a stop by the park on the way home.
It started raining so we didn't stay long. C couldn't wait to get home to tell J all about the horses on duty.
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