The guards at Buckingham Palace........?

Question

How long do they have to stand there? I'm wondering what they do if they have to go to the bathroom? Or even what happens if they have a cold or something and they need to blow their nose or sneeze? I really do mean this as a serious question, so no smart aleck answers please!

Answer 1

They stand for hours suppose its tough luck if they need to go to the loo.

Answer 2

good question dear."

Answer 3

I am an ex Guardsman who served in the Coldstream Guards.

In answer to your first question you stand there for two hours then youare relieved for four.If you need the toilet there is a bell in the sentry box which you ring then you are relieved but you only do this as a last resort.If you have a cold then thats tough. hope this answers your questions.

Answer 4

They are well trained. They stand guard for, I believe, about 4 hours at a time. If they are ill, then they won't be put on public display;) Its only 4 hours and if you can't hold it in for 4 hours then you don't have the discipline required to be one of the Grenadier Guards.

Answer 5

I don't know how long a shift is, but I don't think it's 8 hours. In fact I think the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace takes place every hour or so. It's a big tourist draw. As for the bathroom, sneezing, or whatever, they really train for this and only get picked if they have superb self control.