Horse Guards Parade, is a large parade ground off Whitehall in central London.As well as being the venue for changing The Queen's Life Guard it is also the location for Trooping the Colour, which commemorates the Queen's Birthday, and Beating Retreat.Every day come rain or shine the 'The Queen's Life Guard', mounted on immaculately groomed horses with breastplates shinning in the sun, gleaming boots, plumes, swords and immaculately-pressed uniforms change of the guard at Horse Guards, the official entrance to Buckingham Palace and St James Palace.This ceremony, free to watch, is a lot less crowded than changing the guard at Buckingham Palace and there are no railings or sea of heads between you and the men and horses taking part.