Buckingham Palace isn’t just a symbol of monarchy—it’s also home to one of the most iconic ceremonial military units in the world: the King’s Guard. These soldiers, dressed in red tunics and towering bearskin hats, might look like they’re frozen in time, but their role is anything but ornamental.
While millions of visitors marvel at the Changing of the Guard each year, the King’s Guard has a functional job: protecting the official royal residence. These troops are real soldiers from the British Army, often from the Household Division, including elite regiments such as the Grenadier Guards and Coldstream Guards.