Something strange occurred on Wednesday in Westminster Hall as Queen Elizabeth II was lying in state. Close to her body, a contingent guard lost his balance and landed forcefully on the ground.
The guard, who is wearing a black uniform, can be seen in the viral footage at first appearing to stumble off the catafalque, a high platform where the Queen’s coffin is kept.
He leans awkwardly, briefly leaves the stage, then stands back up and resumes his position. He suddenly collapses forward and a moment later lies face first on the ground, the crowd loudly gasping.
His cap fell off, revealing a head of white hair, and two guys rushed over to help him. The media agency, which was live-streaming the event, had to pause its programming for a moment as police and other emergency personnel responded.
The Queen’s coffin is continually under security by members of the Sovereign’s Bodyguard, the Household Division, or the Yeoman Warders of the Tower of London.
The nation’s longest-reigning king, who passed away on September 8 at the age of 96 after ruling for 70 years, is buried in Westminster Hall before the state burial on Monday, September 19, at Westminster Abbey.
After more than 48 hours of waiting outdoors in all kinds of weather, the coffin was brought out of Buckingham Palace for the final time on Wednesday in front of tens of thousands of people.
Thursday marks the beginning of Queen Elizabeth II’s lying-in-state, allowing the public one last chance to say farewell to the adored queen who is famed for her steadfast sense of duty.
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