MILITARY CUSTOMS

The Changing of The Guard

The Changing of The Guard takes place in front of Buckingham Palace. The ceremony involves the New Guard exchanging duties with the Old Guard. It is accompanied by music that is played by a regimental band.

When the sovereign is resident four sentries are present at the front of the palace. When s/he is away there are two.

Location: Buckingham Palace, SW1A 1AA (orange, white)

See Also: FLAGS The Royal Standard

Website: https://changing-guard.com/dates-buckingham-palacel https://changing-guard.com/queens-life-guardl

The Constable's Dues

Roughly once a year, depending upon naval vessel movements, the Constable's Dues ceremony takes place at the Tower of London. Royal Navy sailors deliver a barrel of rum to the fortress-prison s Constable. This is to pay for the service's access to the Pool of London.

Location: The Tower of London, EC3N 4AB (purple, orange)

Website: www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/whats-on/the-constables-dues

Remembrance Sunday

Remembrance Sunday takes place on the Sunday closest to the 11^th November. Members of the royal family, the government, the opposition, and representatives of Commonwealth countries lay poppy wreaths around the Cenotaph. The flower was chosen as the symbol for remembrance because after the First World War it was the first plant to spring up on the former battlefields of Belgium and France. It is taken to represent vitality and regeneration. At 11 a.m. a two minutes silence is observed in memory of the fallen.

The politician the Marquis of Curzon devised most of the Remembrance Day ceremonies.

Location: Parliament Street, SW1A 2NS (purple, red)

See Also: MEMORIALS The Cenotaph

Website: www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/remembrance/remembrance-events/remembrance-sunday www.royal.uk/remembrance-day

The Royal Hospital Chelsea

The Royal Hospital Chelsea was founded in 1682 by King Charles II to provide material support for soldiers who had had to retire from the service through age or infirmity. The building was designed by Sir Christopher Wren.

Location: Royal Hospital Road, SW3 4HT (purple, yellow)

Website: www.chelsea-pensioners.co.uk

Ceremonies

Three annual ceremonies take place at the Hospital: the Cake Ceremony, the Cheese Ceremony, and the Founder's Day Ceremony. The first involves free cake and beer. This is provided by the Returned Services League of Australia. The second commemorates King Charles II taking refuge in an oak tree following the Battle of Worcester (1651); each 29^th May (Oak Apple Day) the Grinling Gibbons bronze of the monarch (1676) is covered with oak leaves and a parade is held in front of a royal guest.¹ Each December the last takes place. It dates back to 1692 when a London cheesemonger presented the Hospital with a Gloucestershire cheese.

Website: www.chelsea-pensioners.co.uk/news/chelsea-pensioners-observe-ceremony-christmas-cake www.chelsea-pensioners.co.uk/news/chelsea-pensioners-and-dairy-uk-take-part-annual-ceremony-christmas-cheeses www.chelsea-pensioners.co.uk/news/hope-and-happiness-chelsea-pensioners-celebrate-return-founder s-day

¹. The statue of King Charles II was erected at the Royal Chelsea Hospital in 1692.

Royal Salutes

On 22^nd April the Queen's Birthday is marked in Hyde Park by a 41-gun salute. This is performed by the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery. The first 21 firings signify that it is the sovereign's birthday that is being marked. The subsequent twenty indicate that the salute is being carried out in a royal park.

With the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 the Horse Artillery Batteries were mechanised. Following the return of peace King George VI expressed a desire that something of the regiment's equine tradition should be preserved. As the result, a permanent saluting battery unit was established. The following year the Troop received its name during a visit that the sovereign made to its St John's Wood's Barracks.

When the regiment is on parade with its guns, it takes precedence over all other regiments and occupies the place of honour on the right of the line.

Location: Hyde Park, W2 2UH

Website: www.royal.uk/gun-salutes

Trooping The Colour

Each year, on the Saturday nearest 11^th June, Horse Guards Parade hosts the Trooping the Colour ceremony. The event marks the sovereign's Official Birthday. The custom originated in the military practice of trooping (or carrying) flags and banners in front of soldiers. This was done in order to familiarise them with the colours around which they would be expected to rally around on the battlefield. The ceremony was first performed in 1755 and has taken place regularly since 1805.

Location: Horse Guards Parade, SW1A 2AX (orange, brown)

See Also: FLAGS; ROYALTY

Website: www.royal.uk/trooping-colour www.householddivision.org.uk/trooping-the-colour

David Backhouse 2024