Horse Guards Parade
London
Horse Guards Parade is London's great parade ground, in front of the building of the guards on horseback. Every June it hosts the parade for the king's official birthday.
From tiltyard to parade ground
In the days of Henry VIII, this was the tiltyard of the royal Palace of Whitehall, where knights held tournaments. Later the ground became the place for military parades.
The Horse Guards building was designed in the 1700s by William Kent, architect to King George II. The name comes from the mounted soldiers who have stood guard here since 1660.
What to look at from the parade ground
The building has two low wings and a central block with an arch. Above the arch rises a pale little tower. Around the ground stand statues of great commanders of the army and the navy.
Soldiers on horseback, every day
Every day, in sunshine or rain, two mounted soldiers stand guard at the entrance on Whitehall. They belong to the Household Cavalry, the king's cavalry.
There are two regiments. The Life Guards wear red tunics, the Blues and Royals wear blue ones. In June, during Trooping the Colour, the soldiers parade here in front of the king, on foot and on horseback.
