A member of the King’s Guard fainted during rehearsals for Trooping the Colour during the boiling hot weather on Saturday (10 June).
The moment immediately following the guardsman fainting was captured by Sky News as temperature highs of 31 degrees in some parts of the UK.
The heatwave sweeping across the country proved too much for the unfortunate guardsman, who had to wear uniforms and big hats under the sun’s glare.
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But while the guardsman was lying on the ground, with his instrument still by his face, the other guardsman continued with the rehearsal.
Other members of the King’s Troop who were not part of the trombone rehearsal can be seen rushing to help the fallen trombonist soldier.
The member of the massed Bands of the Household Division was one of several soldiers who fainted during the rehearsal.
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A Sky journalist reporting on the situation told viewers: “There’s a picture there of a guard who fainted during rehearsal this morning for Trooping of the Colour, clearly very, very hot isn’t it in those conditions with what they’re having to wear.
“Bad enough if you’re sort of sweltering without all the bearskins on, and heavily uniformed so some people really, really, finding it difficult in this heat.”
Sky News cameras also filmed as the guardsman was carried out of the outdoor rehearsal on a stretcher.
The footage went viral on social media lots of people are confused about the other guardsman carrying on with the rehearsal beside the guard who had fainted.
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One Twitter user complained: “Think it’s a ridiculous rule how a bloke is conked out on the floor and the other lot have to just continue playing their trumpets.”
Someone else replied: “Love the way they just throw him on the stretcher.”
And another Twitter user tweeted: “This literally is ridiculous. No one is allowed to see if a human being is okay because they have to play a silly little instrument.”
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Making light of the situation, one Twitter commentator wrote: “Bet this dude is getting absolutely roasted in the King’s Guard group chat rn.”
Yesterday afternoon, following the conclusion of the rehearsals, Prince William thanked all the soldiers for taking part amid the hot conditions.
“A big thank you to every soldier who took part in the Colonel’s Review this morning in the heat,” the Prince of Wales tweeted.
“Difficult conditions but you all did a really good job. Thank you. W.”
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Trooping the Colour, also known as the King’s Birthday Parade, will take place on Saturday, 17 June 2023.
Topics: UK News, News, Weather, Royal Family
Gregory Robinson