Another British royal guard passed out from heat exhaustion. Similar incidents recur every year, leading to calls to improve the guards’ working conditions.
On June 24, the BBC reported that a guard fell during a practice for Emperor Naruhito and his spouse’s state visit near Buckingham Palace.
The British Army announced via X (formerly Twitter) that the rehearsal involved 250 members of the military band, around 240 horses, and over 1,250 soldiers from nine regiments. It was scorching 30 degrees Celcius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) during the rehearsal at midday in London. Despite the intense heat, the guards practiced in their woolen uniforms and bulky bear-fur hats.
According to military authorities, the fallen guard received appropriate treatment and is recovering.
This is not the first time a guard has fainted.
Recently, a guard was caught on camera swaying from the heat during the outdoor Order of the Garter ceremony, one of the highest honors in the U.K. Last year; guards fainted one after another during a rehearsal for Prince Charles’ birthday celebration.
The New York Times reported that British guards are trained to fall stiffly with courage and determination, like a tree, if they faint. They are instructed to focus on their assigned tasks rather than rushing to aid a fallen comrade during official events.
Most Commented