Amidst scorching temperatures in London, at least three British soldiers fainted during the final rehearsal for the Trooping the Colour parade. The incident occurred on Saturday during the Colonel's Review, with Prince William in attendance. The guardsmen, dressed in full woolen uniforms and bearskin hats, braved nearly 90-degree heat.
Prince William later commended the soldiers on social media, recognizing the challenging conditions. He praised their hard work and preparation, especially given the extreme heat. The Prince of Wales himself was also in full military regalia, enduring the same high temperatures, which mark London's hottest day of the year so far.
A member of the military band is assisted after fainting during the Colonel's Review. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
Over 1,400 soldiers from the Household Division and the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery participated in the rehearsal, reviewed by Prince William, who holds the honorary Colonel title of the Welsh Guards. One of the youngest participants, 18-year-old James Calford, described the experience as akin to "being in a sauna with a heavy weight," as reported by the Daily Mail.
In a striking display of dedication, a trombonist who fainted briefly continued playing his instrument even as he fell to the ground before medics intervened. Last summer, London experienced its highest-ever recorded temperature of 104 degrees, highlighting the increasing challenges posed by extreme heat.
A trombonist perseveres despite fainting during the Colonel's Review. (Jonathan Brady/PA via AP)
Prince William participates in the Colonel's Review despite the heat. (Karwai Tang/WireImage)
With a heat alert issued for southern England by the UK Health Security Agency, the conditions underscore the physical demands faced by participants in such events. The official Trooping the Colour ceremony, marking the British monarch's birthday, will be held on June 17th, overseen by King Charles III.
