UK: Fifth guardsman collapses from ‘climate change’

Media are blaming “climate change” after a British royal guardsman Monday suddenly collapsed on camera, the fifth to do so this month.

The incident occurred just before the ceremony for Order of the Garter, England’s most senior order of chivalry. Included in the service was a procession led by King Charles, his first as monarch.

A member of the Household Cavalry collapsed while standing in position as the procession passed and was helped away by policemen on scene. Media blamed the weather that day, which reportedly reached 24 degrees celsius (75.2 degrees Fahrenheit).

While collapsing in warm weather has precedent, it follows four other guardsmen who did the same this month.

On Saturday, a young soldier collapsed during the Trooping the Colour ceremony. A week before, three other guardsmen suddenly collapsed during a rehearsal for King Charles’ birthday parade. One was escorted off the square while the other two were carried away on stretchers. 

In nearby France this month, cameras captured the moment another royal guardsman fell to the ground just behind French President Emmanuel Macron. Video footage showed a young Republican Guardsman suddenly collapsing at his post, at which point two men quickly moved him out of sight behind a pillar. Shortly after, an official planted himself in front of the collapsed guardsman to ostensibly block the sight from cameras as Macron smiled and waved to the cameras.

Media operatives were quick to claim that five reports in three weeks of young guards collapsing at their posts are normal.

“Multiple soldiers fainted at rehearsals for King Charles' birthday parade during a heat wave. Photos show it's been an issue for decades,” ran a headline from Insider.

But the article brought only six instances since 1957 of soldiers or guards fainting at royal ceremonies, each involving a single individual.

“Heat waves dominated last summer and are becoming increasingly common due to climate change,” the news site wrote.