Royal guards collapse in heat at parade rehearsal of King Charles' birthday

Reuters

Published on Jun. 12, 2023, 8:25 PM

The guards were rehearsing for the King's upcoming birthday celebrations when at least three of them collapsed from heat exhaustion on June 10.

At least three British royal guards collapsed on Saturday (June 10) during a parade rehearsal in London ahead of King Charles' official birthday as summer temperatures hit year-long highs, reaching past 30 degrees Celsius (88 Fahrenheit).

One guard was escorted off the square while two others needed to be carried away on stretchers.

The procession at Horse Guards Parade, named Colonel's Review, is the final evaluation before it gets showcased before the King during the Trooping of the Colour on June 17.

PA via Reuters: A member of the military is assisted onto a stretcher by the medical team after fainting due to the heat during the Colonel's Review, for Trooping the Colour, at Horse Guards Parade in London, ahead of the King's Birthday Parade on June 17. Picture date: Saturday June 10, 2023.

A member of the military is assisted onto a stretcher by the medical team after fainting due to the heat during the Colonel's Review, for Trooping the Colour, at Horse Guards Parade in London, ahead of the King's Birthday Parade on June 17. Picture date: Saturday June 10, 2023. (PA via Reuters)

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Prince William, who was carrying out the inspection, relayed his appreciation to the participants on Twitter.

"A big thank you to every solider (sic) who took part in the Colonel’s Review this morning in the heat. Difficult conditions but you all did a really good job. Thank you. W," he said.