<P> The Queen's Guard and Queen's Life Guard (called King's Guard and King's Life Guard when the reigning monarch is male) are the names given to contingents of infantry and cavalry soldiers charged with guarding the official royal residences in the United Kingdom . The British Army has regiments of both Horse Guards and Foot Guards predating the English Restoration (1660), and since the reign of King Charles II these regiments have been responsible for guarding the Sovereign's palaces . They are not purely ceremonial, despite tourist perceptions . The Queen's Guards are fully operational soldiers . </P> <P> The Queen's Guard and Queen's Life Guard are mounted at the royal residences that come under the operating area of the British Army's London District, which is responsible for the administration of the Household Division . This covers Buckingham Palace, St James's Palace and the Tower of London, as well as Windsor Castle . The Queen's Guard is also mounted at the sovereign's other official residence, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, but not as often as in London . In Edinburgh, the guard is the responsibility of the resident infantry battalion at Redford Barracks . It is not mounted at the Queen's private residences at Sandringham or Balmoral . </P>

What is the purpose of the royal guards