Where is Horse Guards Parade and what happens there?

HORSE Guards Parade is one of many historic locations linked to the Royal Family, and is the scene of several important events throughout the year.

The ceremonial parade ground, which will host the 2023 Trooping the Colour ceremony, is located in St James' Park in London and was designed by William Kent, the then Chief Architect to George II.

What happens at the Horse Guards Parade?

Horse Guards Parade is used for special events like Trooping the Colour and the Beating Retreat.

It is also the venue for the changing of The King's Life Guard.

The building is guarded by two mounted cavalry troopers of The King's Life Guard who are posted outside from 10am to 4pm daily.

The changing of the guards takes place at 11am daily and 10am on Sundays.

Once historic event that took place at Horses Guard Parade was on May 6, 2023 when the six gun salvo was fired to mark the coronation of King Charles.

The building and its grounds are situated just off Whitehall, in London, and are conveniently located between Horse Guards Road, St. James's Park, the Old Admiralty, and 10 Downing Street.

Horses Guard Parade is the formal entrance to St. James' Palace and Buckingham Palace, and is also the headquarters for the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.

It is, unsurprisingly, is a popular destination in London for tourists.

Why is Trooping the Colour held there?

Trooping the Colour, also known as the King's Birthday Parade, has marked the official birthday of the British monarch for more than 260 years.

The 2023 celebrations, on June 17, mark King Charles' first Trooping the Colour as sovereign of the UK. His actual birthday is on November 14.

The 2022 Trooping the Colour was Queen Elizabeth's final one before her death and was held on June 2 that year, as part of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Queen Elizabeth died just months later, in September, at the age of 96.

Trooping the Colour is held at Horse Guards Parade as it is a massive space large enough to accommodate all the soldiers and spectators.

In the past, the site has held big events such as Palace of Whitehall's tiltyard, where tournaments like jousting were held in the time of Henry VIII.

It was also once the Headquarters of the British Army and has been used as a sporting venue – most notably during the London 2012 Olympics when it hosted the beach volleyball.

Where is the Horse Guards Parade held?

Confusingly, there is no event called the Horses Guard Parade as Parade is the name of the place, rather than an event itself - though parades and ceremonies by other names are held there.

Parade can also mean a promenade or public square, as well as a public procession.

Can you walk through the Horse Guards Parade?

Horse Guards Parade is accessible to the public from Whitehall.

It can be reached by passing under the arches of the Horse Guards, however, the Arch which leads out to Whitehall belongs to the military and will be closed at certain times to ensure the security of the barracks.

Horse Guards Parade also closes for state, commemorative, ceremonial and sporting events.

What buildings surround it?

Next to the Horse Guards Parade is Dover House, the Cabinet and Privy Council Offices and 10 Downing Street, the official residence of the Prime Minister.

The Foreign Office, Cabinet War Rooms and Palace of Westminster are all also nearby, and the London Eye is visible from the site.