The changing of the guards is a formal ceremony where the set of soldiers that are currently on duty are exchanged with a new set of guards. The changing of the guard ceremonies take place at many important sites around the world. Some of the places where I have seen the changing of the guards are at palace, government buildings and major memorials.

The ceremonies of handing over of responsibility from the old guard to the new guard are often elaborate and include precisely choreographed displays of military drill. The changing of the guard ceremony can range from multiple members of a battalion including a small band in a rousing exhibition of military pageantry to a small group preforming a solemn and simple less meticulous routine.

Both large and small ceremonies are equally worth watching. The large ceremonies are exciting and the small ceremonies are usually emotional to watch.

The posts that are shown under this category are the changing of the guard ceremonies that I have witnessed in my travels. I hope that you will enjoy seeing these special ceremonies and that I will be able to communicate how inspiring or moving these ceremonies can be to witness.

Ceremonies to See

(Click on the photo below for more information on each topic.)