‘Do not touch the King’s Life Guard!’ Moment soldier stationed outside Buckingham Palace screams at tourist who was trying to get a picture with him
- More than 27million people have watched the clip of the explosive reaction
- It prompted debate among social media users as to whether it was justified
This is the moment a King’s Guard gives a tourist a royal scare as he shouts in her face when she tries to get a picture with him.
More than 27million people have watched the clip of the soldier’s explosive reaction outside Buckingham Palace.
The clip, posted on TikTok channel thekingsguardsofficial, shows a woman leaning in for a photo with the guard, who is dressed in full armour.
He then stamps his foot and turns towards her, holding a large sword, and bellows: ‘Do not touch the King’s Life Guard!’
The reaction prompted debate among social media users as to whether the shouting was justified.
The clip, posted on TikTok channel thekingsguardsofficial, shows a woman leaning in for a photo with the guard, who is dressed in full armour
He then stamps his foot and turns towards her, holding a large sword, and bellows: ‘Do not touch the King’s Life Guard!’
One wrote: ‘He’s not a show attraction he’s there to guard the King. Got a job to do.’
What is the King’s Guard and what do the soldiers do?
The King’s Guard is the name given to the group of soldiers responsible for guarding Buckingham Palace and St James’s Palace.
Traditionally, guards stand still while on sentry duty, which lasts for two hours, before they then have a four-hour break.
Every 10 minutes, they come to attention, slopes arms and do a march of 15 paces across the area of the post.
They must work regardless of the weather, and must follow strict rules such as not grinning or laughing, which can result in a £200 fine.
Guards are not generally allowed to talk to the general public, but in certain circumstances, such as when people obstruct them, they can shout a warning to get them to move.
But a less impressed observer replied: ‘He’s so impolite and dramatic.’
Another follower said: ‘How many times do people have to be told to stay out of their way? Don’t treat them like photo props and don’t touch their horses.’
A fourth said: ‘Why does he have to yell like that though. Relax guy.’
Traditionally, guards stand still while on sentry duty, which lasts for two hours, before they then have a four-hour break.
They must work regardless of the weather, and must follow strict rules such as not grinning or laughing, which can result in a £200 fine.
Guards are not generally allowed to talk to the general public, but in certain circumstances, such as when people obstruct them, they can shout a warning to get them to move.
It is not the first time a member of the public has been shocked by the reaction of a guard.
In February, footage emerged of a guard frustrated with a tourist who twice tried to grab his horse’s reins.
The woman, wearing a white coat, navy skirt and black boots, was seen smiling as she tries to pose for a picture.
Looking towards whoever is taking the photo, she then makes her first attempt to hold on to the horse’s reins.
This prompts an angry response from the soldier in red who screams: ‘Get off the reins!’, startling the young woman.
The roar is enough to send away another woman wearing a black fur coat.
In February, footage emerged of a guard frustrated with a tourist who twice tried to grab his horse’s reins
However, the younger tourist then makes another attempt to grab the horse’s reins.
Stunned, the soldier turns his head for a second time and shouts even louder: ‘Get off!’
Another video captured the moment a tourist got a nasty shock after he stood too close to a King’s Guard horse.
Meanwhile, a soldier guarding the King was blasted for bringing ‘the military into disrepute’ after filming a ‘stupid’ TikTok video of himself gyrating his crotch against his rifle while on duty at Windsor Castle.
The young man ignited fury after saying he was ‘taking the p**s’ outside the royal residence, in a viral clip viewed 350,000 times on social media.
In the 20-second video, the soldier – believed to be part of F Company, Scots Guards, which protects some of the Firm’s properties – says: ‘I’m meant to be looking after the Royal Family. Currently staring at two ducks. Do I care? No.’
The clip outraged Admiral Lord Alan West, the former head of the Royal Navy, who said the guardsman deserves ‘whatever punishment is thrown at him’.
The King’s Life Guard is conducted by soldiers of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment at Horse Guards.
Troops have mounted The King’s Life Guard here since the Restoration of King Charles II in 1660.
The Household Cavalry, the ‘guardians of the monarch’ is a union of the two most senior regiments in the British Army: The Life Guards and The Blues & Royals.
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