Protecting one of the most iconic London buildings and queen guard’s the world’s most high-profile royal is not going to be an easy task. Their bearskin helmets were massive, and their crimson tunic clothes were immaculately made together. Everything about the Queen’s guards screams mystery. Luckily, like the Buckingham Palace regular visitors. We’re here to uncover all things there is to know about the guards of Queen’s.
The royal family of Britain is a favorite subject of all the worldwide media. Their lavish type of lifestyles and quirky customs have captured the curiosity of many. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that it isn’t just royalty living behind the Buckingham Palace opulent gates. We can’t dispute that the duties of their servants are just as fascinating as those of the royal family, despite the fact that their lives are far more low-key.
7 Royal facts About Queen Guard’s
So here we have it, the 7 of the most interesting things that we’ve learned about the guards of Queen’s.
Story Behind Bearskins Caps
Although not worn by the Yeomen Warders, the fuzzy bearskin caps are one of the iconic features of these guards’ uniforms. These seemingly originating excessive helmets date back to the 18th Century. At the time, in Britain, the gunners and armies of the French wore these bearskin caps to make them appear taller. They believed to intimidate their opponents.
The Emperor of France, Napoleon, dressed his imperial guards in similar types of hats. In the early 19th Century he was in power. During the great Waterloo Battle, the British defeated Napoleon’s army. They collected the caps of bearskin from Napoleon’s men’s corpses and brought them home as trophies.
Curiously, these caps are held under the guard’s lip (by a curb chain) as opposed to under the chin. This is to protect the neck of the guard’s in war. The hat is so heavy that if it was beneath the chin and the guard was shot during the attack. Causing the hat to drop backward, the neck of the guard could snap in the process. The Bearskin Cap said, to get its name because inside is a cap that fits snug to the wearer’s head.
Strong Neck Needed To Become A Royal Guard
The royal guards of Queen’s have gotten some necks. No, seriously! Those massive bearskin caps that were 18 inches in height, that was can weigh up to 1.5 pounds.
You’d have to have a very strong neck to carry that for the shift entirety. And that’s not all, these hats get even heavier when they get wet – and let’s face it, that’s often pretty in London.
The Foot Guards From One Of Five Regiments
These five regiments are the great Grenadier Guards, the Scots Guards, the Coldstream Guards, the Irish Guards, and the Welsh Guards. Their uniforms slightly all differ – for example, the Grenadier Guards having single buttons evenly spaced, with white plume on the left of their cap.
You’ll notice a grenade on the collar badge. The Cold stream Guard, however, having a pair of buttons and plume on their cap is red. The Scots Guards have buttons in threes with no plume on their caps, but a thistle type of badge on their collar.
For Irish Guards, you’ll notice buttons are in groups of four, and they have a blue type of plume on the right of the cap as well as shamrock on their collar badge! Last but not least, the Welsh Guards have buttons in fives with a green and white plume on the left of the cap, and leeks on their badges of the collar.
They Protect More Than Just Buckingham Palace
While we generally might associate these red-type tunic-clad guards with Buckingham Palace, actually they also protect other royal landmarks too. In fact, the regiment of Foot Guard had a role as the primary garrison for the capital, for Sovereign military security, and also for the ceremonial type of duties in London. You’ll see Foot Guards at the Wellington Barracks, Victoria Barracks (Windsor) as well as in the Royal Artillery Barracks (Woolwich).
There are no sentries guarding Edinburgh Castle, except for when the Royal Visit occurs.
They Won’t Smile For A Selfie
Provoking the royal guards to make them grin is a popular pastime among visitors to Buckingham Palace. All of their efforts, however, are futile. No matter how many types and kinds of jokes you make or photos you take, the royal guards’ somber type of expression won’t crack.
Although they’re a popular type of spectacle for Britain visitors, wishing to observe as they perform their iconic guard changing, these guards are always active in service to the Queen and must carry themselves with discipline.
No Toilet Break For The Dedicated Soldiers
The guards of Queen’s are trained armed guard so that they can’t even leave their post for a toilet break during their working shift. They must all have pretty strong bladders!
In Some Circumstances, They Break Their Silence
Although we’d, forgiven for believing that the guards of Queen’s have taken a vow of silence while in the post. They indeed speak on some occasions.
Although we don’t recommend provoking them to do so, they speak (or more specifically yell) if visitors come too close to them or aggressively act. Most commonly they shout “make way for the guard of Queen’s!” at tourists who get too close.
Conclusion
When the Guard is aware of a potential major security threat, they only have ammo in their frightening weapons. The guard on Reddit, who goes by the handle “nibs123,” claims that as a Guardsman, he has never carried a loaded gun.
However, everything about the royal family, their staff, and their residence are greatly fascinating. With steeped traditions in centuries of history. Visiting the palaces of Queen’s and witnessing royal customs. Inaction is going to be the quintessential experience of the British. And one you can’t miss on your London visit because it is greatly special for you.
