THE BBC was forced to suspend its live stream of the Queen lying in state after one of the royal guards watching over the coffin at Westminster Hall suddenly collapsed.
The guard was standing at the foot of the late monarch’s casket when he suddenly fell to the floor.
Footage taken from a live broadcast at around 1 am and subsequently posted to social media captured the collapse.
The black-clad guard was holding a ceremonial staff when he appeared to faint, with nearby officials quickly rushing to his aid.
As he was tended to, the live vision quickly faded to the exterior night-time vision of the building. Over an hour later, the broadcast had still not returned to the scene inside the hall.
Soldiers in ceremonial uniform maintain a constant, 24-hour vigil around the Queen’s coffin while she is lying in state.
The guards from units which include the Sovereign’s Bodyguard, the Household Division or Yeoman Warders of the Tower of London are required to remain completely still at the four corners of the catafalque.
READ MORE: President Zelenskyy involved in battlefield visit car accident but 'not seriously hurt'
While the soldiers rotate every 20 minutes, they must remain standing still for six-hour shifts.
The incident happened on the first night of the Queen’s lying in state which gives members of the public the chance to pay their respects to the late monarch.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel