Since the 17th century the daily Changing the Guard ceremony has been as much of a fixture on the capital’s landscape as the Tower of London or Westminster Abbey.

Thousands of tourists flock to Buckingham Palace every morning to see the world famous display of pageantry.

But the daily status of the event is now under threat as a result of last month’s Berlin terrorist attacks, it has emerged.

People watching the changing of the guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace credit: John Stillwell/PA

In the wake of the Berlin lorry attack the Metropolitan Police brought forward plans for a security lock-down around the Palace during the ceremony, with roads completely closed to traffic for 90 minutes.

It was announced today that the ceremony has been moved forward by half an hour as a result of the enhanced security, to avoid clashes with the lunchtime rush hour.

During the winter months, Changing the Guard usually takes places on alternate days, but that, too, has been changed, moving to fixed days of the week so businesses can plan for the closures.

The Army said it had not yet been told whether it would be allowed to resume daily ceremonies this summer. The decision will only be made after the impact of the three-month trial period of road closures has been assessed.

Police close the Mall by Buckingham Palace credit: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images

A Whitehall source told The Daily Telegraph: “Whether or not daily Changing the Guard ceremonies return in the summer is open to question.

“At the moment the whole area around Buckingham Palace is being closed to traffic for 90 minutes every other day. Can that be sustained seven days a week at the height of the tourist season?

“There might be objections from businesses, taxi drivers or Transport for London, and their opinions will have to be taken into account, along with security recommendations.”

The ultimate decision will be taken by the Home Office, which has responsibility for security at the event, though Theresa May, the Prime Minister and former home secretary, could also have some input.

An armed police officer patrols Horse Guards Parade during the changing of the guard ceremony credit: Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images

On December 21 Scotland Yard began closing all roads around the Palace, rather than using the previous system of rolling road-blocks, bringing forward a proposed three-month trial of the enhanced measures. No traffic is allowed in the area between 10.15 and 11.45am on the days the ceremony takes place.

Yesterday Royal Parks, which is responsible for the roads around the Palace, announced that as a result of the road closures, Changing the Guard will now take place every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday during the winter, rather than on alternate days, to enable businesses and the public to plan for the road closures in advance.

View more!

The ceremony has also been brought forward from 11.30am to 11am so that the road closures do not affect the busier lunchtime traffic.

Steve McNamara, general secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association, said he would support scrapping the daily ceremonies in the summer.

He said: “It doesn’t need to be every day - most people visiting London are here for more than one day anyway, and if they know which days Changing the Guard is on, they will still see it.”

The ceremony at Buckingham Palace is far older than the palace itself - during the Restoration, it took place at the Palace of Whitehall, the Sovereign’s official residence until 1689, before moving to St James’s Palace, the new official residence. It was only when Buckingham Palace became a royal residence in 1837 that the ceremony began taking place there.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: “There will be a discussion between all of the parties to decide whether the current arrangement continues.”