Yeomen of the Guard

The Yeomen of the Guard are the Sovereign’s oldest royal bodyguard, established by Henry VII in 1485. In the nineteenth century the Guard was based at St James’s Palace and performed ceremonial and household duties, as well as guarding the Sovereign at state occasions. Members also traditionally searched the Houses of Parliament before the State Opening. Under William IV, membership was restricted to former Army or Royal Marines personnel. The Guard should not be confused with the Yeoman Warders of the Tower of London.