The Horse Guards Parade is a large parade ground used for public and royal ceremonial events throughout the year.
It’s named after the troops that have protected the Sovereign since the restoration of King Charles II in 1660.
The Horse Guards Parade ground was originally a palace courtyard in the time of Henry VIII and was used for tournaments
Today it is flanked by St. James’s Park, Old Admiralty (former Navy headquarters), Dover House, and No. 10 Downing Street, the official residence of the Prime Minister.
At the front (or Whitehall) entrance of the Horse Guards Parade, you will see members of the Household Cavalry Regiment, who are there to protect the official entrance to St. James’s Palace and Buckingham Palace.
On the parade ground, is a white building, the Horse Guards Building, with an archway in the middle, capped by a clocktower.
The building dates from the 18th century and was designed by William Kent, Chief Architect to George II.
The archway in the middle of the building is used as the official ceremonial entrance to St. James’s Palace and Buckingham Palace – located a quarter of a mile away.
The arch of Horse Guards has witnessed countless significant events.
Whenever the Royal Family is traveling to or from Westminster Abbey or the Houses of Parliament, they normally pass under this archway as they proceed.
This is because, technically speaking, the archway is the formal entrance to Buckingham Palace.
Notice that the road leading from Horse Guards Parade to Buckingham Palace is paved in red, to represent a red carpet rolled out for the Royal Family.
