The earliest recorded instance of a force of guards for the executive residence was during the government of Manuel Bulnes in 1851.

[1][2] In addition to public duties, the Palace Guard also has practical security responsibilities for the defense of La Moneda.

They remained at their posts until 9:00 a.m. the day of the putsch, withdrawing after being informed that Gen. César Mendoza had thrown his support to the newly declared junta.

A changing of the guard ceremony occurs every 48 hours at 10:00 a.m. During it, two Carabineros mounted units and the Central Band of the Carabineros escort the incoming guard detachment to La Moneda, and the outgoing detachment from it.

Each Monday since its inception the guard has provided two, ten-man squads, a drummer and a bugler to form a cordon of honor for the entrance of the president of Chile into La Moneda at the start of the work week.