BAHAMAS: Guests enjoy the Changing of the Guard at Government House

#Bahamas, January 22, 2018 – Nassau – The Royal Bahamas Defence Force Band enthralled guests at Government House including tourists, teachers and sixth-grade students during the Changing of the Guard ceremony, Friday, January 19th, 2018.   The historic event included a marching display of precision drills by the Defence Force Band followed by a change of guard at the sentry.

In 1958, Dennis Morgan, then director of music for the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band, introduced the “Changing of the Guard” at Government House and “Beating of the Retreat” at Christmas.   The Changing of the Guard took place every first and third Saturday of the month during which members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band marched from the Police headquarters on East Street to Government House and performed for 15 to 20 minutes’ display.

In 1990, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force assumed the duties of the Royal Bahamas Police Force as Security Guards at Government House.  The 30-minute ceremony is held in honor of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and has become an attraction for tourists and Bahamians.  The ceremony is currently held every second Friday in the month at 11 a.m.

The 2018 dates for the Changing of the Guard are:

February – 2nd and 16^th; March – 2nd and 16^th; April – 13th and 27^th; May – 11th and 25^th; June – 8th and 22^nd; July – 6th and 20^th; August – 3rd, 17th and 31^st; September – 14th and 28^th; October – 12th and 26^th; November – 9th and 23^rd; December – 7th and 21^st.

Release: BIS

Photo Captions:

Insert: Students of Nassau Christian School listen as a member of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force speaks to them about the Changing of the Guard ceremony.

BIS Photos/Letisha Henderson