A royal guard standing by Elizabeth II’s coffin in Westminster Hall on Wednesday fainted and fell face first to the floor as the public filed into state.
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In footage that has gone viral, the guard, dressed in black uniform and holding a stick, initially stumbles from his position on the catafalque.
He steps off the stage in no time and stands stunned. He pulled himself together before resuming his position. Moments later, he falls hard, landing face down.
Two people rush to help him.
The BBC, which broadcast the ceremony live, cut its signal for several minutes as emergency services responded Dailymail.
The Queen’s coffin is guarded 24 hours a day by members of the Royal Guard Service.
The incident came as hundreds of thousands of mourners lined the streets of London until 30am to pay their respects to the Queen, who died last Thursday at the age of 96 after a 70-year reign.
Mourners are asked to walk the casket without stopping to ensure the line moves quickly throughout the day and night.
The Queen’s body arrived at Westminster Hall at 3pm on Wednesday, followed by her son and heir Charles III and her grandsons Prince William and Prince Harry.
The Queen’s coffin will be taken to Westminster Abbey for her funeral next Monday.
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