The Royal Guard, in its constant effort to recover and maintain the greatest number of traditions of the Troops of the Royal House, performs the Solemn Relief of the Guard at the Royal Palace of Madrid, once a month, recalling the one that was done daily in times of the kings Alfonso XII and Alfonso XIII, showing the link between the current Royal Guard and its historical background. The general sequence of acts in the development of this Solemn Relay is the following:
- Establishment of guard posts in the Plaza de la Armería.
- Magazine of the incoming guard in the Plaza de Oriente.
- Entrance of the outgoing guard in the Plaza de la Armería.
- Parade of the incoming guard and entrance to the Plaza de la Armería.
- Request to start the relay of the Chief Commanders of the Guards to the Colonel Chief of the Royal Guard.
- Relief of artillery and cavalry posts.
- Relay of sentinel posts on foot.
- Withdrawal of the guards.
- Parade of the outgoing guard.
A carousel is performed by the Royal Escort Squadron, the Royal Battery, the Music Unit or flowered movements by the Honors Group.
The act lasts approximately 50 minutes, begins at 12 o’clock in the morning on the first Wednesday of each month, except for the months of January, August and September, as long as official acts permit. Admission is free and free through the Puerta de Santiago, which gives access to Plaza de la Armería from Bailén Street. As a culmination to the act, the Music Unit usually performs a concert in the market of the Puerta del Príncipe (Bailén street).
Solemn Relay Schedule
The first Wednesday of each month at 12:00 hours (except January, August and September and those days in which an official event is celebrated or the weather conditions prevent it). Approximate duration: 50 minutes. Admission is free and free through the Puerta de Santiago, which gives access to Plaza de la Armería from Bailén Street. As a culmination to the act, the Music Unit usually performs a concert in the market of the Puerta del Príncipe (Bailén street).
Guard Change Schedule
Every Wednesday and Saturday of the year (except those days where an official event is held or the weather conditions prevent it) at the Puerta del Príncipe (Bailén street) from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. From June 17 to September 15 will be from 10:00 to 12:00.
Guard relay at the Puerta del Príncipe of the Royal Palace of Madrid
In addition to what was previously described, since December 12, 2007, the guard relay at the Puerta del Príncipe of the Royal Palace of Madrid is held every Wednesday.
As a novelty and since March 5, 2016 also takes place every Saturday the relieving guard at the Puerta del Príncipe of the Royal Palace of Madrid, in order to bring, more if possible, the Royal Guard to society.
Said relay consists of the establishment of two sentinel posts on foot and two sentinels on horseback. The general sequence of this relay is the following:
- Training and magazine of the incoming foot guard with fife and drum.
- Establishment of guard posts on foot at the Puerta del Príncipe.
- Training and magazine of the guard on horseback.
- Establishment of guard posts on horseback at the Puerta del Príncipe.
- Relay sentinel posts on foot every 30 minutes.
- Relays of sentry posts on horseback every half hour.
- Withdrawal of the guard on foot and on horseback.
The act takes place every Wednesday and Saturday of the month, from 11 am to 2 pm, except from June 17 to September 15, which will be from 10 am to 12 noon, as long as official acts or the weather allow it .
This guard is constituted by fourteen members of the unit and four horses.
In the stalls, the Royal Guards on foot adopt the position of “firm” and making their movements coincide with those of the sentinels on horseback, with the weapon on their shoulders and at the step of stopping, they make exchanges of the position they occupy.
Every 10 minutes and not coinciding with the relay of the sentinels on foot, the sentinels on horseback move in front of the facade to finally return to their previous position.
