The Queen's coffin is being guarded 24 hours a day with soldiers rotating every 20 minutes from beside the coffin. In total throughout their shift, they are expected to stand still for six hours.
Guardsmen will have two hours on sentry duty and four hours off. However, do not be surprised if on some occasions you do not see the traditional guardsmen, in their scarlet tunics, particularly in August when other regiments often guard 'The King'.
The eight men are from the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards which had a close connection with the Queen who held the position of company commander. At the time the British Army said the "very best soldiers" were chosen to carry out this solemn duty.
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.
The guard was standing at the foot of the late monarch's casket, holding a ceremonial staff, when he suddenly swayed and fell forwards to the floor at around 1am. Officials rushed to his aid and live footage of the broadcast was interrupted while the guard was checked.
Soldiers in ceremonial uniform were maintaining a constant, 24-hour vigil around the Queen's coffin at Westminster Hall. While the soldiers were permitted to rotate position every 20 minutes, they were ordered to stand completely still around the four corners of the coffin for six hours a shift.
Man detained by police after he 'ran up to Queen's coffin' in Westminster Hall. Mourners watch in shock as a man tries to touch the Queen's coffin, according to onlookers. A man has been detained by police after a witness said he "ran up to the Queen's coffin" in Westminster Hall.
Traditionally the Queen's Guards are not allowed to move. 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".
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.
Despite the strict regulations, the Royal Guardsmen earn an average of $36,020 per year. Queen's Guard members are not required to be members of the military, but they must uphold the monarchy's traditions in order to do so in this highly regarded role.
There was nothing they could do, and Burnell-Williams was pronounced dead on the spot. Laura, 42, tweeted an impassioned tribute to her son, Jak, to family and friends, with a photo of the young soldier, adding that she never imagined she would be writing this.
Queen Elizabeth II will be buried in an English oak coffin featuring brass handles that were designed more than 30 years ago, and lined with lead. It is estimated the coffin weighs between 250kg and 317kg.
Soldiers from the Queen's Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, were chosen to lift the coffin during the service at Westminster Abbey and Windsor Castle. Although a senior officer took day-to-day control, the former sovereign's connection with her men was strong, and they paid tribute to her during the service.
Lying in state is when the closed coffin of a sovereign is placed on view, allowing the public to pay their respects before the funeral ceremony. During this period, the coffin rests on a raised platform - known as a catafalque - and is guarded 24 hours a day.
Yeoman Warders have been guarding the Tower of London since Tudor times. Nicknamed 'Beefeaters', the Yeoman Body of 32 men and women are all drawn from the Armed Forces.
The coffin bearers at the Queen's funeral are from a unit of which the late monarch was Company Commander. Soldiers from the Queen's Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, have been chosen to lift the coffin during the service at Westminster Abbey and Windsor Castle.
Never touch a guard
As London aficionados know by now, one should never touch a member of the Queen's Guard. If this is the case, they are actually allowed to shout warnings at you to make you go away. If people start acting aggressively, the soldiers can even present their bayonets to them.
Getting a photo with one of the royal guards is part of the tradition of visiting London but there are certain rules such as no touching, which some tourists often attempt to push it to the limit.
What Happens If A Buckingham Palace Guard Smiles? If a Buckingham Palace guard smiles, it is considered highly inappropriate and is a breach of their duty. This is due to the fact that the guards are expected to maintain a professional and stern demeanor while on duty.
'Standing easy' is not permitted whilst a sentry is at their post. Orders for sentry duty read out before each two-hour 'tour of duty', make it clear that sentries "may not eat, sleep, smoke, stand easy, sit or lie down during [their] tour of duty".
Although we'd be forgiven for believing that the Queen's guards have taken a vow of silence while in post, they can indeed speak on some occasions. Although we do not recommend provoking them to do so, the can speak (or more specifically yell) if visitors come to close to them or acts aggressively.
If you assault the royal guard, you could face serious consequences. Depending on the country, the punishment could range from a fine and/or jail time, to the death penalty. It is important to remember that the royal guard is a position of high authority and any attack on them is taken extremely seriously.
Yes. The Queen's coffin will be on public view 24 hours a day in the four-and-a-half days before her funeral.
The tradition of sailors pulling the coffin was brought in after the horses used to pull Queen Victoria's coffin in 1901 for her funeral were spooked and almost tipped her coffin.
At the service's conclusion, the Queen's coffin was lowered into the Royal Vault – the resting place of many past monarchs. Below the chapel lie King George III, IV and V, William IV and others. Last year Prince Philip, the Queen's husband, was also laid to rest there.