What is the Point of this? We are Independent!!!

I had to share this piece of news with you my friends. I only hope that the Queen is paying for all this !

Jamaican regiment to guard Buckingham Palace
Published on Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Print Version
LONDON, England (AFP):

The Jamaican Defence Force is to guard Queen Elizabeth II's Buckingham Palace for a month starting Thursday, a military chief said, as the island celebrates 45 years of independence. Soldiers from the 1st Battalion Jamaican Regiment will mount The Queen's Guard at the monarch's official residence on alternate days.

Though Queen Elizabeth is the head of state of Britain, Jamaica and 14 other realms and territories, it is rare for overseas troops to mount The Queen's Guard at Buckingham Palace. Jamaica, a former British colony, obtained its independence on August 6, 1962. "Competition for the opportunity of coming to London to mount The Queen's Guard has been fierce, training has been intense and the best of my men are looking forward to the honour of guarding Her Majesty," said the regiment's commander Colonel Derek Robinson.

They will also stand guard at Windsor Castle at the end of July. The centuries-old castle west of London is widely seen as her favourite residence. A 34-strong military and regimental band will accompany the soldiers on their trip to Britain, and will entertain London with traditional military tunes and Jamaican reggae numbers.

The band will play in St James's Park, next to Buckingham Palace, on Emancipation Day, August 1 and Independence Day.