page_title: Queen's Guard
section_title: Procedure while at post
hierarchical_section_title: Queen's Guard / Operating area / Procedure while at post
caption_attribution_description: English: Buckingham Palace Guard
context_page_description: The Queen's Guard and Queen's Life Guard are the names given to contingents of infantry and cavalry soldiers charged with guarding the official royal residences in the United Kingdom. The British Army has regiments of both Horse Guards and Foot Guards predating the English Restoration, and since the reign of King Charles II these regiments have been responsible for guarding the Sovereign's palaces. The Guards are fully operational soldiers.
context_section_description: A sentry will be on duty "at their post" for a two-hour period. Every 10 minutes, he comes to attention, slopes arms and does a march of 15 paces across the area of the post. Each sentry does this four to five times before halting. He then shoulders arms and stands at ease. 'Standing easy' is not permitted whilst a sentry is at post. Orders for sentry duty read out before each 2 hour 'tour of duty', make it clear that: "you may not eat, sleep, smoke, stand easy, sit or lie down during your tour of duty".
  Sentries receive instruction on how to eliminate nuisance or any suggestion of threat from members of the public. There is a protocol they follow which begins with "stamping" (coming to attention sharply). He will also shout: "Stand back from the Queen's Guard" or similar. If this does not eliminate the nuisance or threat he will repeat the stamp and shout again. If the nuisance or threat still does not cease the sentry will assume the position of "port arms" whereby he points his rifle at the source of the interference. If these warnings are not heeded the sentry then has the choice of detaining the person(s) himself or pressing the button in his sentry box to summon assistance.
  If a person steps in front of a sentry while he is marching he will shout: "Make way for the Queen's Guard!" (or Castle guard/Tower of London guard/Windsor Castle guard, etc.)
caption: A sentry of the Scots Guards at Buckingham Palace
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