He can BEAR-LY stand up! Coldstream Guard has to grab hold of his bearskin hat and rifle as he nearly falls over while marching towards Buckingham Palace
- The soldier was seen stumbling during Changing of the Guard in front of tourists
- Video shows him desperately grabbing hold of his rifle and bearskin hat today
- Fortunately he regained his balance and rejoined his colleagues in the parade
A Coldstream Guard was left desperately grabbing hold of his bearskin hat and rifle as he nearly fell over in front of tourists while marching towards Buckingham Palace.
The soldier spectacularly saved himself from falling on his face after tripping during the traditional Changing of the Guard this morning.
The trooper was taking part in the ceremony in central London and was part of a group of soldiers marching between the regimental barracks and the Queen’s official residence.
The moment was caught on camera by onlookers, with video showing him falling out of formation as he tripped, before regaining his balance and falling back into line.
Many people in the crowd, which had turned out to witness the daily ceremony, cheered as they saw him narrowly avoid hitting the deck.
The soldier was caught on camera tripping as members of the Coldstream Guards entered the road during the parade
He displayed quick reflexes to grab his bearskin hat as it fell off his head and keep hold of his rifle
One witness, Chas Bharat, said: ‘I had been watching them lining up and preparing to march for about 10 minutes.
‘They were quite meticulous while waiting and marched in time as the drummer and bugler began to play.
‘But as they exited the gate to turn towards the palace, the soldier almost went flying.
‘It was almost theatrical. He fell forwards and had to shuffle his steps quickly to stay on his feet.
‘He managed to straighten up and grab his rifle and his bearskin which had come off by the strap.
He was able to stop himself heading face first to the ground and quickly moved back into formation with his fellow soldiers
‘It was quiet funny as he had to the classic and fall back into line as if nothing had happened.
‘People around me were laughing, but we also felt sorry for him. I hope he doesn’t get a dressing down from his regiment leaders. We all fall over from time to time.’
Elena Larison, a tourist who is visiting from Copenhagen in Denmark, said it was ‘a shame that that happened to him’.
‘They obviously practice a lot with marching and keeping their uniforms pristine,’ she said.
‘But it was a funny moment. I’m sure he’ll have a laugh when he sees the video too.’
He managed to step back into line and joined the rest of his Coldstream guard soldiers and marched to Buckingham Palace.
The Coldstream Guards have been known to keel over in extreme heat from time to time as they are required to keep their Canadian bearskins on at all times while on duty.
The bearskins are 18 inches long and weigh 1.5 pounds and can be burdensome in extreme temperatures.
They are made from the fur of Canadian black bears, with one bear providing for one cap much to the chagrin of animal rights activists.
Coldstream Guards wear hats made of Canadian black bearskin at all times, as well as carrying their rifles. Pictured are members of the guards marching on Buckingham Palace grounds in May this year
It is reported that the cost of a cap is around £650, but each cap can last for 80 years.
The Coldstream Guards are members of the army and receive 30 weeks of training, two weeks more than the regular infantry. The extra weeks are devoted to drill and ceremonial protocol.
Members of the unit have defended monarchs for more than 350 years, beginning after Charles II took the throne after the English Restoration in 1660.
Guardsmen are meant to stay at their posts and in formation, and this can lead to dramatic scenes, with some even trampling over people who get in their way instead of going around them.
In extreme situations they can raise their rifle as a ‘final warning’ if someone is being disruptive or getting in the way, after which they are allowed to detain the person in question.
If a person obstructs their path the Guardsmen will shout: ‘Make way for the Queen’s Guard.’
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