The Guards Museum in London displays information and items related to the five regiments of the British Army known as the Foot Guard, who serve as the ceremonial guards at Buckingham Palace. The museum is located in the Wellington Barracks and features uniforms, records, medals, and historical items. It also houses Princess Elizabeth’s military uniform and a collection of toy soldiers. The Foot Guard units have served as bodyguards to British royalty since Charles I and have also served in active duty in various wars.
The Guards Museum is located in London, England. This museum displays items and information about the five regiments of the British Army which are collectively known as the Foot Guard. They are part of the military division, called Her Majesty’s Household Division, which is directly responsible for safeguarding the British royal family and palaces. The Grenadiers, Coldstream Guard and Scots are the member regiments of the Foot Guard. The Irish and Welsh Guards round out the five.
Foot Guards units, along with the Life Guard, Blues and Royals cavalry regiments, have been bodyguards to British royalty since Charles I was king. In addition to their bodyguard duties, the units comprising the division also serve on active duty, including in both World Wars, the Korean War and early 21st century actions in Afghanistan. At any one time at least one battalion from one of the regiments is stationed in London as Queen’s Guards.
The Guards Museum is housed within the Wellington Barracks. This complex of buildings is located very close to Buckingham Palace and houses all units of the Division currently serving as the Queen’s Guards. Members of the guard are those seen as the ceremonial guards at Buckingham Palace, and during the hottest part of the year visitors can watch the guards for the palace form up outside the museum in preparation for the march to the palace for the changing of the guard there .
Memorabilia from the history of the Guard has been stored for internal purposes for hundreds of years. The Guards Museum was opened in the 1980s to allow public access to these materials. Items on display within the museum include both active duty and ceremonial uniforms, regimental records of various kinds, medals and awards. Also in the collection are paintings of historical interest and a variety of items used by members of the unit while on duty. Information displays give an insight into the history of the Guard units.
The museum also houses the military uniform that Princess Elizabeth wore in a ceremony in 1947, at the age of 16, during the Division review. Another highlight of the Guards Museum for many visitors is the collection of toy soldiers available in the museum’s gift shop. The Guard Museum is a non-profit organization and a society of friends of the museum supports it with financial contributions. British citizens can also use part of their tax payments to support the museum.
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