Changing Of The Guard Returns To Windsor Castle For The First Time Since COVID-19 Lockdowns
Jul. 22 2021, Published 12:40 p.m. ET
Now that England has lifted most of their coronavirus restrictions, the Changing of the Guard is back at Windsor Castle for the first since the pandemic began!
Soldiers from the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards wore their famous red tunics and bearskin hats as they paraded in front of tourists on one of the hottest days of the year, Sky News reported.
The ceremonies at Buckingham Palace, St James's Palace and Windsor Castle didn't take place to curb the spread of COVID-19. However, the Changing of the Guard still occurred.
"Some things are never affected and carry on all year, regardless," an army source told PEOPLE.
According to the new schedule, visitors can head to central Windsor at 11 a.m. every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday throughout July and August to get in on the action.
"Changing the Guard – also known as Guard Mounting – is the iconic ceremony which is seen by millions of people each year at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle," the official royal family's website states. "Carried out by soldiers on active duty from the Foot Guards who have guarded the Sovereign and the Royal Palaces since 1660, the sight of their famous bearskin hats and red tunics is indelibly linked with Buckingham Palace and the British Monarchy."
The description continues, "Accompanied by a full military band playing a selection of music ranging from traditional marches to songs from musicals and familiar pop songs, the ceremony is both a colourful military tradition and an important reminder of the close relationship between the Armed Forces and their Head: The Queen."
During the pandemic, Queen Elizabeth spent most of her time at Windsor Castle. However, she was spotted at her Sandringham estate in Norfolk over the weekend with her racing manager, John Warren.
