Hi,

Am in London now. Wondering where the best place is to take a photo of a palace guard close up and if possible, standing next to one on duty? Have read that the St. James Palace has one guard, but those were from threads years ago. If there are any alternative locations, please let me know! People have told me to try the House Guards building off of Whitehall, but those guards seem to be on horseback?

Thank you!

That would be the Ho<B><u>r</u></B>se Guards -- not House Guards. And yes -- that is the easiest place to get up close and personal. At Buckingham Palace the Guards are inside the fence/gates quite some distance away.

But have you thought of the Yeoman Warders (Beefeaters)? They are retired military but have pretty spiffy uniforms. And are very friendly

Thank you! Forgot to mention that tomorrow (er, today) is my last day here and pressed for time to try to see any guards.

Have not been to the Yeoman Warders. They are at the Tower of London? Fear that I may not have enough time to get over there, but will definitely try!

The retired military men ar the Chelsea Pensioners not the beefeaters. There are always lots of them walking around the hospital and Fulham rd area.And they are friendly to the point they may talk your ear right off. With such a short time I'd go with the Horse Guards

"The retired military men ar the Chelsea Pensioners not the beefeaters."

The Yeoman Warders are men (and a woman)that have retired from the forces, the Chelsea Pensioners are just that, ex-forces pensioners.

I should not post in the middle of the night. I forgot that the Yeoman Warders are all retired military. But as I recall they do not wear bearskin helmets rather a big flat beret thing.

Yeoman Warders (at the Tower):
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch...Beefeaters.htm

Chelsea Pensioners (at the Royal Hospital Chelsea), occasionally seen in full fig on the Kings Road:
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/...93_468x306.jpg

Palace guards:
at St James's:
http://laurenroyal.com/3.0/images/tr...land/guard.jpg
Horse Guards on Whitehall:
http://www.offtolondon.com/horseguards.html

I'm surprised that the title Chelsea Pensioner has changed to Chelsea Senior, now that we're all American!!

A Chelsea pensioner or a Yeoman warder would probably not mind.
However, if I were on guard duty and some giggling tourist tried to get its photo taken with me, I'd be tempted to get at them with "the cold steel. They don't like it up 'em!"

Last time I was in London a Chelsea Pensioner offered me a ride on his scooter! You can visit the Army Museum next to the Royal Hospitaland they are all along the streets and hospital park.

I try to stop by Chelsea Hospital whenever in London and have a sit down and chat w/ some of the pensioners. But even when in their dress uniforms -- they wouldn't pass for "Palace Guards"

Some ARE serious flirts though