They're changing sex at Buckingham Palace

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

But yesterday, for the first time, female soldiers took up posts guarding Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.

Five women from the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery marched into Windsor while four from the Army Air Corps reported for duty at the Palace.

Scroll down for more

Guard duty: Air Trooper Natasha Kurtinitus at the Palace yesterday

In Windsor, wearing ceremonial uniforms of plumed busby hats and short gold-braided tunics, the five soldiers stood proudly alongside their male counterparts. Carrying ceremonial swords they form part of a 20-strong team from the King's Troop which will guard the castle night and day for the next month.

In London, Captain Chloe Madden led the Royal Army Air Corps troops into the Palace.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said the women would patrol the castle and the palace for 24 hours at a time, manning their posts for two hours before a break of four hours.

He added: "Normally, these duties are done by resident infantry battalions in London but there have been occasions when other units have filled in.

Scroll down for more

Leading role: Captain Chloe Madden

"At the moment one of the units is on its way to Afghanistan and one has just come back from Bosnia so we asked for support from the King's Troop."

In addition to standing guard the soldiers will also be expected to perform the changing of the guard each day except Sundays.

The King's Troop is usually known for Trooping the Colour Around 40 per cent of its soldiers are women.