Hot on the heels of the Kings Coronation, IPA members enjoyed a private display of pageantry at the Wellington Barracks in Westminster [8 May 2023].
Hosted by London North Branch, IPA members, family and friends were escorted on to the military base and watched the ceremony of The Welsh Guards mounting The King's Guard (this is the bit you don’t normally see prior to the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace).
IPA member Eddie Rooney gave us a brilliant insight as to life as a guardsman in the barracks as well as explaining the formalities, pomp and pageant of the ceremony itself.
We got to meet and chat with the guards and the bandsmen during their morning drill rehearsals and all tried on a real bear skin hat! The uniforms close up were extremely impressive to see.
The Band of the Grenadier Guards then played music for us and marched the guards over to the Palace.
The Corps of Drum of the Welsh Guards marched the St. James Palace Detachment to Buckingham Palace and The Royal Engineers dismounted to finish.
Afterwards (and keeping with the military theme) we all decanted to the Union Jack [Military] Club for refreshments and sustenance.
If you would like to join in with one of these social events, just log on to the IPA website https://www.ipa-uk.org/Home - check out the events page and sign up - many events are often free!
Alex Williams, London Reception Officer (LRO)