French, UK troops swap guards to mark 120 years of friendship since Entente Cordiale

Troops from France's 1er Regiment de le Garde Republicaine partake in the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace, to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale - the historic diplomatic agreement between Britain and France which laid the groundwork for their collaboration in both world wars, in London, April 8, 2024. © Victoria Jones, AP

French and British troops on Monday swapped roles to take part in changing of the guard ceremonies outside the palaces of the other country's head of state, in an unprecedented move to celebrate 120 years since the Entente Cordiale.

Signed in 1904, the Entente Cordiale accord cemented an improvement in relations after the Napoleonic Wars and is seen as the foundation of the two NATO members' alliance to this day.