‘It’s like a sauna’: Three King’s Guards faint amid high temperatures at Colonel’s Review
Multiple members of the King’s Guard collapsed in front of Prince William in sweltering conditions - yet the show kept going around them.
Dramatic scenes unfolded at the King’s Birthday parade rehearsals in London on Saturday, with at least three guards collapsing due to the city’s intense heat.
Videos of the walk-through show unwell members of the King’s Guard being stretchered or walked off the grounds after fainting during the military parade practice, also known as the Colonel’s Review.
More than 1400 soldiers of the Household Division and the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery were present at the event for Prince William to review them ahead of King Charles’ celebrations next week.
Despite temperatures reaching 31 degrees Celsius, or 88 degrees Fahrenheit, the guards wore their woollen tunics and bearskin hats as they marched with military equipment or rode on horseback to music played by their colleagues.
But for some, the sweltering warm weather proved too much, with footage showing one guard falling to the ground while playing the trombone, and another visible on a stretcher in the background.
In a second video, a line of guards watched on as a fellow member collapsed. Unable to leave their formation, the ill guard had to wait for assistance from the London army who came running onto the field with a stretcher.
A member of the Welsh Guards told local UK newspaper Hackney Gazette, the ceremony was “a lot harder” to do in person than what it “looks like on the TV”.
“(It’s) like being stood in a sauna with a 200kg dumbbell in your left hand,” James Calford, who is the youngest member of the Welsh Guards, said.
“Once you have got your tunic and bearskin on and carrying your rifle in heat, it is incredibly uncomfortable.”
Temperatures have passed 30C in London today, overwhelming some soldiers who took part in a military parade alongside Prince Williamhttps://t.co/McrUFliY2Fpic.twitter.com/KAYXloNTvV
— ITV News (@itvnews) June 10, 2023
The event occurred despite the UK Health Security Agency issuing an amber heat-health alert in several parts of England.
The guards’ efforts didn’t go unnoticed however, with Prince William thanking them in a tweet from the Kensington Royal Twitter account.
“A big thank you to every soldier who took part in the Colonel’s Review this morning in the heat,” he said.
“Difficult conditions but you all did a really good job. Thank you.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales later added in another tweet: “Conducting the Colonel’s Review of the King’s Birthday Parade today.
“The hard work and the preparation that goes into an event like this is a credit to all involved, especially in today’s conditions.”
Prince William had to sport similar attire while on horseback in the event as it’s a requirement for his role as the Colonel of the Welsh Guards.
But despite the Prince’s empathy, many Brits criticised the royal family for not providing the guards with a summer uniform.
“Surely we’re at a stage now where the welfare of soldiers wearing all this in the heat should be the main priority and not a parade,” one person tweeted.
“This should have been cancelled and soldiers put first like others are.”
“There comes a time when someone has to speak up and insist on a different outfit/headgear for the summer months,” a second person said.
Another added: “A good reminder that there are temperatures where even the most dedicated person cannot work. Your body chemistry gives out. Determination is not sufficient.”
Meanwhile others complained about the protocols which prevented other guards from helping their fallen comrades.
“Insane that their protocol isn’t to immediately help their collapsed comrade, even if the music has to stop for a few minutes,” one American said.
“The circumstance cannot possibly be so important that first aid has to wait.”
Conducting the Colonel's Review of the King's Birthday Parade today. The hard work and preparation that goes into an event like this is a credit to all involved, especially in today’s conditions. pic.twitter.com/IRuFjqyoeD
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) June 10, 2023
“It seems ironic an institution that … puts a premium on unit cohesion, brotherhood and a ‘leave no man behind’ attitude simultaneously is instructed to pretend to ignore a fallen comrade in *that* situation. Weird,” a second said.
Others applauded the guards for their efforts, persistence and dedication in such sweltering temperatures.
“Loved every minute, everyone was very excited to see it, so impressed that you guys did all this perfectly in the heat,” one British woman said.
“What a spectacular parade. Always in complete awe of the precision and execution, especially in heat like today,” a second person added.
The official Trooping of the Colour ceremony will be overseen by King Charles III on June 17 to mark the monarch’s official birthday.
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