Royal Guards

Changing of the Guards ceremony at the Windsor Castle, UK was spectacular. Traditionally, the outgoing set of guards march towards the main gate. During special occasions or when the Queen is at the castle, the march is led by the greyhound and band.

See the outgoing guards...

But, I wonder how the guards manage to carry the heavy bearskin hat and still march at steady gait! Their actions at the posts are a bit funny and confusing...

At one of the private areas, we saw a guard standing still, so I approached near the fence to get a good shot. Just then, he suddenly changed the rifle from left to right hand and marched few steps forward, where there was no one, stood at Attention pose and saluted. Then he marched back to the original position.

We saw similar behavior at the exit gate and front of Buckingham Palace gates.