The Changing Of The Guard is a daily tradition from late June to late August on Parliament Hill, with the Ceremonial Guard going through a military ceremony on the lawn before Centre Block each morning starting at ten. Much of the troop march up towards the Hill from Cartier Square, escorted by Ottawa Police motorbikes who stop traffic ahead of their route. I photographed them one day as they were coming up alongside the National War Memorial, past the National Arts Centre. These servicemen and women are regular and reservist soldiers from across the Canadian Armed Forces who spend the summer doing this before returning to their usual duties the rest of the year.
Turning left on Wellington where the street crosses Plaza Bridge, the Guard pass by the Chateau Laurier.
And from there it's on to their rendezvous on the Hill with the other members of the Guard for a ceremony that takes about a half hour. The rest of the day, the Guard spend doing smaller scale changing of the guard ceremonies at Rideau Hall.
I'm guessing that the pomp and ceremony is popular with tourists. It's quite a fascinating spectacle.
ReplyDeleteI've seen it in person before. A serious spectacle.
ReplyDeleteNice snaps. We have it outside the castle in Stockholm. Very popular with tourists from around the world.
ReplyDelete...such a regal sight.
ReplyDeleteThat band looks very Bristish with the Bearskin hats.
ReplyDeleteSeems like you have been attending a lot of events lately. This was a good one!
ReplyDeleteJanis
GDP
What a neat and regal sight. Great for tourism, as Kay has mentioned.
ReplyDeleteMagnifica esta formação e desfile.
ReplyDeleteUm abraço e bom fim-de-semana.
Andarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
Livros-Autografados
@Kay: the tourists really go for it.
ReplyDelete@Halcyon: I have also taken it in before.
@Stefan: it is a good tradition.
@Tom: it is!
@Marianne: it does come from that tradition.
@Janis: thanks!
@Jo: I agree.
@Francisco: thank you.
Nice tradition.
ReplyDeleteHello, the guards remind me of my visit to London. Great series of photos. Happy Friday, enjoy your day and weekend!
ReplyDeleteI like their red coats! My sister stayed at the Chateau Laurier a few months ago when she was in Ottawa.
ReplyDeleteAt least these aren't "monsters" stalking the streets. Oh, wait! They're "redcoats" aren't they. :-)
ReplyDeleteThis makes for a fine summer tradition & spectacle for tourists & locals alike.
ReplyDeleteIt looks just like it does in London.
ReplyDeleteThe red coats stand out so well!
ReplyDeleteLove the way they all march with perfect precision! They look so smart William, such a pleasure to see here!
ReplyDeleteAnd let us not forget the brave Canadian soldier who was killed doing ceremonial duty a couple of years back. Corporal Nathan Cirillo
ReplyDeleteI was part of a color guard when in the Navy. For a while. There were only 5 or 6 of us. I think I lost a bet. It was in Minnesota in the winter and was no fun at all! I'd like to see these folks marching around, tho. I see some drums and what I thought were French horns and wonder what kind of music they play as they march along?
ReplyDeleteThis is such a large group! Must be wonderful to see and hear them pass.
ReplyDeleteGreat sky shot with puffy clouds and lovely ceremonial pics of the 'changing of the guard' ~ thanks, ^_^
ReplyDelete(A ShutterBug Explores) ~ Happy Weekend to you.
@Shammickite: it is.
ReplyDelete@Eileen: it does go back to that tradition.
@Lois: it's a great hotel- a favourite photo subject for me.
@Revrunner: yes, but they're our redcoats!
@Christine: it really does.
@Sharon: some of the same rituals to it.
@RedPat: they do indeed.
@Grace: they've got it down to perfection.
@Cloudia: they march past the east side of the Memorial, and there is a plaque positioned there in his memory, facing the Memorial itself.
@Lowell: most of what they play is march music, what you'd expect out of military bands.
@Marleen: it's fun to be able to watch it.
@Carol: you're welcome!
Impressive sight!
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible sight to see.
ReplyDeleteIt,s an impressive ceremony.
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely tradition and the photos and buildings look great. Greetings to you.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos William! That old building is amazing.
ReplyDeleteIt's really nice that these old traditions are still alive.
Quite showy, but I guess I'm too much of a backwater country person to really find any signifigance in that. In fact, all my mind can think of is, why? Yes, I know it is your tradition.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos here, William! And I love the clouds, too!
ReplyDeleteSo nice to see, and their red uniforms look so smart.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
@Norma: it was.
ReplyDelete@Bill: I agree.
@Red: it certainly is.
@Blogoratti: thank you!
@Pat: I agree with that.
@Mari: it works for us.
@Linda: thank you.
@Jan: I agree!
Looks like it's a great show.
ReplyDeleteIt is!
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