Are royal guards real soldiers?

The British Army has regiments of both Horse Guards and Foot Guards predating the English Restoration (1660), and since the reign of King Charles II these regiments have been responsible for guarding the Sovereign's palaces. The Guards are fully operational soldiers.

Do royal guards go to war?

If you've ever been to Buckingham Palace, you've probably noticed the armed guards wearing the bearskin caps standing sentry. These aren't your average security guards roaming through shopping malls. They are Queen's Guards and are fully-trained operational soldiers — and most have been deployed to combat zones.

Are Queens Guard elite soldiers?

Elite soldiers have guarded the King or Queen since the reign of Henry VII who made the Royal Bodyguard a permanent institution which has spanned over 520 years of history.

Do royal guards have real guns?

Those guns aren't loaded…

The Guard's intimidating weapons only have ammo in them when they are aware of a potential serious security threat. The guard on Reddit, who uses the username “nibs123,” says that he has never carried a loaded gun as a Guardsman.

Are royal guards trained?

The Guards are members of the British Army who get 30 weeks of training, two weeks more than the the regular infantry. The extra weeks are devoted to drill and ceremonial prototcol.

DONT F**K WITH THE QUEENS GUARD (HERE IS WHY)

Do royal guards get fired for smiling?

They Won't Smile for a Selfie

Visitors to Buckingham Palace love provoking the royal guards in a bid to get them to smile. But their attempts are in vain. No matter how many jokes you make or photos you take the royal guards' somber expression won't crack.

What happens if you touch a Queen's Guard?

If idiots act threateningly towards the Royal Family, the Queen's Guard, or the general public around them, they will stop you. If you touch their bear-skin hat, they'll probably ignore you or shout at you. If you grab their rifle, the next thing you'll see is the end of their barrel.

Do royal guards get paid?

After getting an acceptable score on the BARB test, a soldier is ready to join the Queen's Guard. The salary for this job is paid based on a list defined by the British army, with values starting at £20,400 (or around $28,266).

Can the Queen's guards be female?

Captain Megan Couto has become the first female ever to lead the Queen's Guard at Buckingham Palace.

How much do royal Guards Make?

The highest salary for a Royal Guard in United States is $52,808 per year. What is the lowest salary for a Royal Guard in United States? The lowest salary for a Royal Guard in United States is $21,969 per year.

Are Royal Guards special forces?

Royal guards have historically comprised both purely ceremonial units serving in close proximity to the monarch, as well as regiments from all arms, forming a designated substantial elite and intended for active service as part of the army.

Why do royal guards wear big hats?

"The idea was that you made your foot soldiers look taller and therefore more fearsome," said Richard Fitzwilliams, a royal commentator based in London. "They used to fulfill a practical need for a foot soldier in battle. They were used when fighting the French in the Napoleonic wars.

Why do royal guards stomp their feet?

According to a report by DailyMail, the Queen's Guards are given specific orders to deal with obstacles that may come on their marching route. They are allowed to shout 'Make way for the Queen's Guards' and also stomp their feet.

How tall are the Queen's guards?

The Queen's guards aren't as tall as they used to be

'The height requirement has been brought down to 5' 10", but traditionally, if you were in the Queen's Company within the Grenadier Guards, you had to be 6' 2" or over. They were known as “the models” because they were so tall.

Can you take a picture with a royal guard?

You're definitely welcome to have your picture taken with the Guards. They're used to it and it won't be an issue.

Why do British guards not move?

While on duty, Queen's Guards are not supposed to move or respond to anything that the tourists may throw at them. However, the rules indicate that after being still for at least 10 minutes, they can march up and down the street in order to stretch their legs and avoid passing out.

How do you join The Queen's Guard?

In order to join the Royal Guard, a trainee soldier has to pass the British Army Recruit Battery (BARB) test. The scores of the BARB test helps to categorise whether they join a combat role or one of the combat support groups.

How long do The Queen's guards stand for?

Typically, a Guardsman spends two hours on duty and four off. He is not expected to stand still for any more than ten minutes at a time. Every so often, he will march up and down in front of his sentry box, rather like a policeman "walking the beat".

How long are royal guards shifts?

The guards at Buckingham Palace and St James Palace are on duty for 24 or 48 hours. During that time a Guardsman will have 2 hours on sentry duty and then 4 hours off.

Are bearskins real fur?

The standard bearskin for the British foot guards is 11 inches (280 millimetres) tall at the front, 16 inches (410 millimetres) to the rear, weighs 1.5 pounds (0.68 kilograms), and is made from the fur of the Canadian black bear.

What is it like being a queen's guard?

It's the job of the Queen's Guard to stand on duty outside Buckingham Palace, as well as the Queen's other official residences. They are famous for keeping a straight face, even when tourists try to distract them, they get caught in a rain shower, or an inquisitive insect comes to rest on their nose!

Are royal guards allowed to stop?

On the official website, a notice reads: Please don't stand in the way of the Guards as they will not stop or march around people who are impeding their progress. The usual warning they shout out if someone is in the way is 'Make way for the Queen's Guard'.

What happens when a Royal Guard smiles?

The Queen's Guard are punished if they smile

If they are caught laughing or smiling by a superior officer they are fined around ₤200 (approximately $260) from their pay.

Do royal guards go home?

Guards are supposed to remain still

While on guard, the Queen's Guards are not supposed to move, however, they can march up and down the street after remaining still for at least 10 minutes, according to the British Royal Family. Guards are on duty for two hours and off duty for four hours.