<P> The Queen 's Guard and Queen 's Life Guard ( called King 's Guard and King 's Life Guard when the reigning monarch is male ) are the names given to contingents of infantry and cavalry soldiers charged with guarding the official royal residences in the United Kingdom . The British Army has regiments of both Horse Guards and Foot Guards predating the English Restoration ( 1660 ) , and since the reign of King Charles II these regiments have been responsible for guarding the Sovereign 's palaces . They are not purely ceremonial , despite tourist perceptions . The Queen 's Guards are fully operational soldiers . </P>
what is the purpose of the royal guards
infantry and cavalry soldiers charged with guarding the official royal residences in the United Kingdom