Istana Change Of Guards

The Istana Park is located in front of the Presidential residence, Istana. A gateway to Singapore's Civic District Trail, the park is an education and information hub of Singapore's rich history. The main highlight of the park's main gateway is the Changing of Guards Ceremony that happens every month. Every month during the Ceremonial Changing of Guards, a squad of 20 guards from the Armed Military Forces Police Command takes over the duties of the former guards who were patrolling for the previous month, and a new unit of guards are stationed and signified by this ceremony.

Sentry duty is the primary role of the Istana Ceremonial Guards that are stationed at the entrance of the Istana building. This ceremony was first conducted in 1969. It is held on the first Sunday of every month except for July and August. Based on the ceremony of Changing Guards at the Buckingham Palace, this ceremony also has two commanders and a total of thirty-six guards involved in running the ceremony. These guards are especially chosen from many and are trained extensively for their turnout, bearing and drill. The new troop of guards march in from the Koek Road to meet the foregoing troop near the main gateway entrance of Istana, where the Changing of Guards Ceremony is conducted amidst military bands and Rifle Precision Drill Performance.