A guard standing watch beside Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin fainted and fell headfirst to the floor late Wednesday as mourners paid respects to the Queen as she lies in state at Westminster Hall.
The guard, clad in a black uniform and holding a staff, first appears to stumble from his position on the raised platform — called a catafalque — where the Queen’s casket sits, the now-viral clip shows.
He steps off the platform briefly after swaying unsteadily before he gets back up and assumes his position. Moments later, he suddenly falls forward, landing face-first on the floor as the crowd gasps.
His cap fell off, revealing a head of white hair, and two men rushed over to help him up.
The BBC, which was livestreaming the ceremony, cut its feed for several minutes as police and others responded, the Daily Mail reported.
The Queen’s coffin is guarded around the clock by service members from the Sovereign’s Bodyguard, the Household Division, or Yeoman Warders of the Tower of London, according to the paper.
The guard was holding watch over the Queen’s coffin when he appeared to faint. BBCThe guard’s collapse comes as hundreds of thousands of mourners lined the streets of London in queues up to 30 hours long to pay their respects to the Queen, who died last Thursday at the age of 96 after a 70-year reign.
Mourners will be asked to pass the coffin without stopping to ensure the line moves swiftly throughout the day and night.
The Queen’s body arrived at Westminster Hall around 3 p.m. local time, followed by her son and heir, King Charles III, and her warring grandsons, Prince William and Prince Harry.
Others rushed to help the guard after he fell to the floor Wednesday. BBCOther senior members of the royal family were also in attendance, including Queen Consort Camilla, Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.
There will be 20 vigils through Monday morning, when the Queen’s coffin will be transported to Westminster Abbey for the funeral.
