For the first time in its 357-year history, The Royal Navy has performed the changing of the guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.
Eighty-six sailors from an array of Naval ships and establishments have undertaken a month-long training programme in order to carry out the ceremonial duties.
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Changing of the guard is normally carried out by Foot Guards from the Army’s Household Division regiments, complete in traditional red tunics and has been performed since the era of King Charles II in 1660.
The Royal Navy have temporarily taken over the world renowned duties to mark 2017 as “The Year of the Navy”. Sir Michael Fallon, the former Defence Secretary, heralded the move as “the start of a new era of maritime power.