The UK recently declared a heatwave as temperatures reached over 26 degrees Celsius. The harsh weather conditions took its toll on many, including a Royal Guard at the Order of the Garter event at Windsor Castle in England. A video shared on X (formerly X) captured moments when the guard tripped due to heat, almost losing his control during the event, also attended by King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Struggling to stand in the Sun wearing a full uniform, the guard began going backwards and forward. Fortunately, fellow guards intervened just in time to prevent any mishap. The video shows the soldier being escorted away for treatment. This incident is the third case of a royal guard fainting due to the extreme heat in a week.
Reacting to a video of the incident, a user wrote, “They don’t have enough to eat beforehand then with prolonged standing in heavy hot clothes, the blood pressure lowers. He probably really tried to keep it together hence the rocking, hope he was ok and no penance for this.”
Another shared, “I’m so glad they never let him fall and left him lying there like previous times. Glad they were looking out for him.”
“I feel so sorry for these guys they should be allowed lighter uniforms for summertime and water bottles,” a comment read.
Criticising the ceremony, another person wrote, “Time to get rid of the nonsense royal protocols is 2024 for God’s sake. Why do they force them in the first place to stand up like that? What’s the benefit?”
An insider told Daily Mail, “Healthy people may faint when standing still for a long time (most common in soldiers, a phenomenon called parade ground syncope) because the leg muscles have to be active to help return blood to the heart. The nature of military duties, physical exercise, exposure to heat and standing for prolonged periods of time (orthostatic stress) is known to trigger fainting.”
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13541559/Moment-soldier-fainted-ancient-Order-Garter-ceremony-Windsor-Castle-three-collapsed.html#:~:text=Three%20soldiers%20collapsed%20during%20yesterday’s,to%20stop%20him%20toppling%20over.
The Insider explained that military duties like exercise, heat exposure and standing for long periods can lead to fainting. Similar challenges are also faced during deployments. Commanders at all levels must complete mandatory Hear Illness Prevention Awareness Training.
The Order of the Garter, founded by King Edward III in 1348, celebrates individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to society.
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