54.8 F
London
HomeLondon NewsCeremonial guards withdrawn from positions in the midday sun as London baked...

Ceremonial guards withdrawn from positions in the midday sun as London baked at over 40C (104F)

London Forecast

London
broken clouds
54.8 ° F
58.3 °
52.7 °
81 %
0.3mph
75 %
Thu
60 °
Fri
62 °
Sat
62 °
Sun
59 °
Mon
60 °
USD - United States Dollar
GBP
1.31
EUR
1.10
CAD
0.74
AUD
0.69

Popular London Tours

Popular

Port of London Authority Relaunches Thames Mudlarking Permit Scheme

The Port of London Authority (PLA) has officially reopened...

Great London Buildings: The Millennium Bridge

The Millennium Bridge, officially known as the London Millennium...

10 Interesting Facts and Figures about Oxford Street

London is a city full of history, culture, and...

Why Travelers to London Need to Install WhatsApp

When planning a trip to London, travellers typically focus...

The Tube: 10 Interesting Facts about the Circle Line

The Circle Line is one of London’s oldest Tube...

Londinium: 10 Interesting Facts and Figures about Roman London

  Londinium was the Roman name given to the settlement...

Share

Heavily-dressed ceremonial guards were withdrawn from their positions for a number of hours in the sweltering heat as temperatures topped 40C.

Soldiers, who wear a uniform including bearskin hats, were allowed to shelter from the sun in the hottest period on Tuesday.

The Ministry of Defence said the guards stationed at the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, St James’s Palace and Windsor Castle were withdrawn at midday “given the extreme temperature” but remained on duty in the Royal Guardrooms to act in support of police if required.

Ceremonial guards were temporarily withdrawn at midday during the hottest part of the day (Victoria Jones/PA)
Ceremonial guards were temporarily withdrawn at midday during the hottest part of the day (Victoria Jones/PA)

Members of the Household Cavalry used electric fans to help them cope with the baking temperatures in London.

Troops were spotted looking red in the face and sweating while standing watch in their heavy ceremonial uniforms and helmets at Horse Guards Parade in Westminster.

One could be seen standing in position with a large metal desk fan pointed toward him in a bid to keep him cool.

A member of the Household Troop had a fan placed next to him at Horse Guards Parade in central London (Aaron Chown/PA)
A member of the Household Troop had a fan placed next to him at Horse Guards Parade in central London (Aaron Chown/PA)

Water was brought out to the horses of the mounted troops, and the animals were sponged down after guard duties.

An Army spokesman said: “The wellbeing of our soldiers is a priority at all times, and we have put in place additional measures this week such as regular checks, flexible duties, and additional water to ensure they can continue to safely carry out their duties.”

He said the Guard Mount at Buckingham Palace took place on Monday but with a shortened ceremony, and guard personnel carried out reduced duties as temperatures peaked on Tuesday.

Londontopia Staff
Author: Londontopia Staff

This article was submitted and adapted by Londontopia Staff and used with a license from the Press Association UK (PA Media). All images and content used with permission.

Book London Tours Now!