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They’re part of British history -

The British guard was established in 1660, and has since served and protected the reigning monarchs.

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King’s Guard -

The King’s Guard was known in the last decades as the Queen’s Guard, because it was serving a female monarch. Now let’s take a look at what it’s like to be a royal guard.

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They need to be tall -

Close combat was more prominent in the past, so height restrictions were more rigid. Traditionally they’d be 6' 2" (1,89 m) or over.

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They need to be tall -

Many royal guards still stand at around 6 feet (1.83 m) tall, even though the height requirements have been brought down to 5' 10" (1,78 m).

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They need to pass an exam -

Before being accepted, candidates must first pass the British Army Recruitment Battery test. The BARB is an aptitude test used to assess candidates' analytical and problem-solving skills.

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They go through a demanding training program -

Royal guards go through a combat training course that can last up to 30 weeks. The training ranges from firearms practice to martial skills and marching.

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Remuneration package -

The average salary for a member of the King’s Guard varies, depending on the rank. In 2022, it was around £20,400 (US$24,970) on average. An officer could earn an average of £28,556 ($30,571), whereas an infantryman's average salary was £18,932 ($23,158).

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Remuneration package -

Despite not having outstanding salaries, royal guards do have other perks, including meals and housing.

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They are early birds -

According to a guardsman, they are expected to be on parade at the barracks by 5:30 am. They then rehearse before heading out to do their job for the rest of the day.

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Working hours -

For those who work at Buckingham Palace, for instance, they reach their posts at around 10:45 am, where they start their shifts. They are on sentry duty for two hours and then rest for four hours.

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They have to be resilient -

Dealing with the public is no easy task, especially when they’re as exposed as they are and are an actual tourist attraction themselves.

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They have to deal with the public -

There have been countless accounts of harassment and abuse over the years. From people shouting abuse at guards, to physically placing banana skins on the floor to try and make them slip and fall!

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Their hats are old, big, and heavy -

The traditional bearskin hats worn by the King’s Guard are a badge of honor with a history. The soldiers took the bearskin from Napoleon's Grenadiers, so it does have a strong symbolic meaning. Later on, these were made from black bears mostly captured in Canada.

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Their hats are old, big, and heavy -

The hats make the soldiers appear taller and overall more imposing. But they’re far from comfortable, of course. These are 18 inches (46 cm) tall and weigh 1.5 lbs (0.7 kg).

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They wear their hats in a peculiar way -

You may wonder why the hats are strapped under the guardsmen's lips rather than under the chin. Well, this is because their heads would usually be the first target in case of an infantry attack, so this way the hats would come off without injuring the soldier.

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Their uniforms must be in top-notch condition at all times -

The King’s Guard places a high importance in being presentable at all times. Their uniforms really need to be perfect, and so everyone undergoes uniform inspections before parade marches.

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Their uniforms must be in top-notch condition at all times -

"I'm always aware that people are looking at us closely and taking lots of photos, so I put a lot of work into looking after the uniform. Our red tunic, bearskin cap and bright white belt all need to be cleaned and polished, and our heavy black boots and brass buttons require constant care and attention," said guardsman Jack Davies of the Welsh Guards 1st Battalion.

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No bathroom breaks -

Guardsmen do not have bathroom breaks while on duty. They have to hold it in while on the job.

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They may faint -

Standing still for a long time, coupled with excessive heat and possibly dehydration, can lead to these incidents. You may recall when a member of the royal guard collapsed by Queen Elizabeth II's coffin at Westminster Hall in 2022.

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They may faint -

This was not the first time it happened, and it likely won’t be the last. The incident pictured here occurred during a rehearsal of the Trooping of the Colour parade in 1974.

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They may faint -

If you observe the guards long enough, you will see that they sometimes move. This is usually done by turning to the left, marching a few steps, and then turning around and going back to their post. This is essential so that blood circulates.

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They don't carry loaded rifles -

Nowadays, most security is actually done by law enforcement and not by the King’s Guard, which have more of a ceremonial role. But they still have access to live rounds if the threat level is high though.

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Hot weather can be a nightmare -

Capes can be worn on the way to the palace when it’s raining, but there is nothing guardsmen can do with regards to the heat. Fluids are provided, but you won’t see members of the King’s Guard wiping off sweat–they just have to endure the discomfort.

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Hot weather can be a nightmare -

Guardsmen also have another uniform problem, which occurs under intense heat: their boots’ polish melts.

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They can still serve their country in military operations -

Being a royal guard doesn’t mean you won’t be drafted to fight overseas. Many men have gone from the front of the palace to the front line.

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They follow strict behavioral guidelines -

Royal guards take their job very seriously, and if they do anything that goes against protocol, they must face the consequences. This can be in the form of reeducation at a military prison. Laughing, for instance, can lead to such penalties.

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They might chat with members of the royal family -

There were occasions when Queen Elizabeth II chatted with her guards, and this may well be the case with Charles III and other royals.

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They get bored -

Sometimes the job can be pretty tedious, and there isn’t much they can do to distract themselves.

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They get bored -

Counting bricks is apparently a popular pastime for guardsmen to occupy their minds!

Sources: (Grunge) (Reader's Digest) (Time Out)

See also: Fashion rules the Royal Family must obey

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