Buckingham Palace Guards Break Stoic Stances to Drink Water amid London Heatwave

Stephanie Petit
·1 min read
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Police officer givers water to a British soldier wearing a traditional bearskin hat, on guard duty outside Buckingham Palace, during hot weather in London, . The British government have issued their first-ever "red" warning for extreme heat. The alert covers large parts of England on Monday and Tuesday, when temperatures may reach 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) for the first time, posing a risk of serious illness and even death among healthy people, the U.K. Met Office, the country's weather service, said Friday Heat, London, United Kingdom - 18 Jul 2022

Matt Dunham/AP/Shutterstock Buckingham Palace Guard

The Buckingham Palace guards are feeling the heat.

As temperatures in London hit 100°F on Monday, the famous guards outside Queen Elizabeth's royal residence remained on duty in their recognizable uniforms, complete with bearskin caps. Although they have a reputation for their serious demeanor, unflinching even when tourists attempt to make them crack a smile, they were given a respite amid the heatwave.

A security guard was spotted holding a water bottle up to a member of the Queen's Guard to take a sip while maintaining his position and holding his weapon.

RELATED: Royal Guard Mows Over Young Boy in His Path at Tower of London in Viral Video

Police officer givers water to a British soldier wearing a traditional bearskin hat, on guard duty outside Buckingham Palace, during hot weather in London, . The British government have issued their first-ever "red" warning for extreme heat. The alert covers large parts of England on Monday and Tuesday, when temperatures may reach 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) for the first time, posing a risk of serious illness and even death among healthy people, the U.K. Met Office, the country's weather service, said Friday Heat, London, United Kingdom - 18 Jul 2022

Matt Dunham/AP/Shutterstock Buckingham Palace Guard

Also on Monday, two guards were spotted delivering a teacup with a drink inside to one of their colleagues.

The Queen's Guard is a contingent of infantry responsible for guarding the monarch's official residences. A detachment of the regiment on guard at Buckingham Palace and St. James's Palace is also responsible for providing the guard at the Tower of London, which is still officially a royal residence and where the Crown Jewels are located.

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Soldiers from the Queen's Guard deliver a drink to their colleagues on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace. Picture date: Monday July 18, 2022.
Soldiers from the Queen's Guard deliver a drink to their colleagues on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace. Picture date: Monday July 18, 2022.

Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty Buckingham Palace Guards

While they are known for their strict rules and protocols — last year, guardsmen collided with a young boy in their path after he didn't head a warning to "make way!" quickly enough —  heat has proved to be a problem for them before. It's not uncommon for a member of the Queen's Guard to faint during a summer event such as Trooping the Colour, the Queen's annual birthday parade.

Last month, multiple guards fainted outside the National Service of Thanksgiving that was part of Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee weekend.