Bring in the NAVY: Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace to see shock change

The 90 seamen from 45 Royal Navy Ships and establishments are being taught the routines required for the historic royal guarding duty at the Queen’s London residence. 

Sailors are also preparing for ceremonial guarding at Windsor Castle St James’s Palace and the Tower of London as part of their special duties.

The duty normally falls to one of the five Foot Guards Regiments from the Army’s Household Division. 

Warrant Officer Eddie Wearing, the Navy’s state ceremonial training officer, said: “It’s daunting but I’m very excited. It’s something I’ve been pushing for since I started in-post.

“To be the conducting Warrant Officer for the first mount ever in the Royal Navy is a massive privilege and an honour to do. I’m really looking forward to it.”

The sailors will be dressed in navy blue double breasted greatcoats with white belts, white caps, white gaiters and black boots. 

The Royal Navy Changing the Guard will take place at the Palace on Sunday November 26, followed by Windsor Castle on Monday, November 27. 

Lieutenant Commander Steve Elliott, 44, from Portsmouth, will lead the sailors in the role of Captain of the Queen’s Guard.

Lieutenant Elliott said: “As we march out of Wellington Barracks for the first time I’m fairly sure everyone will grow a good eight to 10 inches.

“It’s great to do this ceremonial piece and have the Royal Navy back in the public eye as well as act as a capstone to the year of the Royal Navy.”

The Changing of the Guard ceremonies at Buckingham Palace and Windsor are popular spectacles for tourists to watch. 

The regiments meet for the Changing of the Guard and pass on their responsibility of looking after the Queen’s safety.