A royal guard standing watch over Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin at Westminster Hall in London collapsed and fell face-first from the podium. The incident happened as hordes of people filed through to pay their respects to the monarch, who reigned for 70 years, the longest in British history.
- The Queen’s guard suddenly fainted. The guards, who work on shifts that rotate over 20 minutes, stand in place, entirely still, for the duration of their rounds. However, it clearly became too much for the guard who began to tremble before passing out and falling forward from the coffin podium.
- Two police officers ran over to help the man. The entire session of the Queen lying in state, which began on Wednesday at 5 p.m. GMT and will continue until 6 a.m. Monday morning, the day of her funeral, has been broadcast by the BBC. At the time the guard fainted, the camera cut to an exterior shot of the Houses of Parliament.
- Shocked viewers immediately voiced their concern on social media. “He must’ve been so overwhelmed with what was happening,” one person suggested. Another added: “Bless him – just happened to tune in; saw he was a bit wobbly and feared he’d faint. Hope he’s ok.” A third person wrote: “It’s such a massive responsibility during such a historical moment. I hope he’s fine.”
