Mounted sentry at Horse Guards in London

The Life Guards of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment stand at the gate of Horse Guards, a building in London between Whitehall and Horse Guards Parade. The sentries, with their red tunics, white horsehair plumes and metal helmets, are a classic London photo opportunity and are photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of times every day.

The members of the Life Guards, the oldest regiment in the British Army, remain stoically calm throughout. I wonder what they think about during their hours of duty, with eyes and camera lenses constantly fixed on them. Do they ever get to see any of these pictures? I’m particularly impressed by how calm the horses stay, even when tourists stand right next to them or touch them – some answers can certainly be found in the regiment’s museum. Incidentally, only members of the British Royal Family are allowed to drive through the archway guarded by the cavalry, as it is formally considered the entrance to St James’s Palace.

More pictures from London in the Great Britain image gallery.