How British Troops Prepare For Changing The Guard

Gunners from 26 Regiment Royal Artillery are to perform the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace.

The Army's Household Division usually conducts the ceremony, and before heading to London personnel from 26 Regiment have been undergoing two weeks of preparations at their Gütersloh base.

The 95 Royal Artillery gunners will also be on duty at the Tower of London and Windsor Castle during the two-month assignment.

Recent recruit, Gunner Liv Leather, has confidence in the preparations:

“There’s a lot we need to listen to and orders we need to listen to and demands so once that comes across we’re just going to be focused really.

"A little bit nervous but I think once we get into it, it’ll be fine.”

The Changing of the Guard ceremony dates back to 1660 and has been seen by millions of people at Buckingham Palace.

Gunners from 26 Regiment will also be on duty at the Tower of London and at Windsor Castle.

Sergeant Matthew Green has been teaching them the movements of ceremonial drill and normally instructs the Welsh Guards. He said:

"A lot of the senior ranks and junior non-commissioned officers will have been taught five, 12, you know, 13 years ago by other arms within the Army and not essentially a Guardsman.

"When a guardsman comes and does drill with them, it's a little bit alien."

Bombardier Matty Matthews says the duty means a great deal to him: "There will be a lot of eyes on us and we just need to keep that self-discipline down and keep still while we’re on parade."

The gunners can be seen conducting the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace until mid-November.