Following the execution of King Charles in 1649 the country was declared a republic, with Oliver Cromwell rising to become its ruler. By the time of his death the people had become disillusioned with the republican experiment and Charles’s son was invited back to rule the country as King Charles II. The new king unsurprisingly paid close attention to his personal security. He immediately formed a cavalry regiment of loyal soldiers known as the Life Guards based in barracks and stables here at Whitehall Palace, with the buildings known as Horse Guards. The current building was completed in 1755. Mounted cavalrymen still guard the building between 10am and 4pm each day.