President Halimah Yacob Attends Changing of Istana Guards Ceremony

President Halimah Yacob witnessed the Changing of Guards (COG) Ceremony at the Istana this evening. Typically held on the first Sunday evening of every month, the COG Ceremony comprises incoming Guards marching to meet the outgoing Guards at the main entrance of the Istana, as well as a Rifle Precision Drill, in a symbolic parade of handing over duties with the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Band in attendance.

Following the COG Ceremony, President Halimah interacted with the Istana Ceremonial Guards, the Silent Precision Drill Squad from the Military Police Enforcement Unit (MPEU) and service personnel from the SAF band. She thanked them for their commitment and service.

Specially selected and trained service personnel from the SAF have been undertaking sentry duty at the Istana Main Entrance along Orchard Road since 1959, when the late Encik Yusof Bin Ishak took office as the Yang Di-Pertuan Negara. The practice started with tasking combat troops from the 1st Battalion of the Singapore Infantry Regiment to perform the role in 1959, but has now evolved to having the Istana Ceremonial Guards from the Singapore Armed Forces’ MPEU being posted for the duty.