Soldier faints moments before King and Queen arrive for Garter Day procession
The scorching heat proved too much for one poor soldier who fainted moments before the Royal Family arrived at Windsor Castle for the historic Order of the Garter procession today.
The member of the Household Cavalry, wearing full ceremonial attire including a metal helmet, fell face first to the ground after succumbing to the sun’s glare.
Footage of the incident showed a policeman and other people nearby helping the soldier to his feet, seconds before the procession passed them.
King Charles and Queen Camilla led the Royal party, including the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and Princess Anne with her husband, Vice Admiral, Sir Anthony Lawrence, during the Garter Day parade.
Disgraced Prince Andrew is said to have joined them for lunch in his role as Royal Knight Companion but was not allowed to take part in the parade.
The event, described as the most senior Order of Chivalry in Britain, was set up in medieval times by King Edward III, who was inspired by the legend of King Arthur’s Knights of the Round Table.
He set up his own group of honourable knights, called the Order of the Garter.
There are 24 spaces for Knights and Ladies Companion, who are recognised for their work and public service and hail from a variety of backgrounds.
Former Prime Ministers Tony Blair and John Major were among guests seen going into St George’s Chapel for the prestigious ceremony.
Almost 3,000 royal fans gathered to watch the event unfold, cheering as the King and Queen waved.
The Baroness Ashton of Upholland GCMG was installed as a Lady Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, and the Lord Patten of Barnes CH was installed as a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.
It is not the first time a soldier has fainted at a high-profile event.
Footage emerged of a trombonist desperately trying to continue playing his instrument after he was one of several soldiers to collapse during a rehearsal of the Trooping the Colour earlier this month.
Prince William tweeted after the event: ‘A big thank you to every soldier 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.”
A royal guard fell to the floor while watching the late Queen’s coffin during the first day of her lying in state at Westminster Abbey last September, leading to the live broadcast being halted.
Another member of the Household Cavalry was pictured face first on the ground after falling over during a Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in 2021.
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