Footage from the live broadcast shows the incident took place around 1am on Thursday. The guard was standing at the feet of the late monarch’s coffin when it suddenly fell to the floor with a clattering sound. The black-clad guard was holding a ceremonial staff as he collapsed. With the former monarch lying in state in Westminster Hall for the public to pay their respects, soldiers in ceremonial dress are keeping a constant, 24-hour vigil. The soldiers are asked to remain completely still at the four corners of the catafalque. The guards, drawn from units including the Sovereign’s Bodyguard, the Household Division and the Yeoman Warders of the Tower of London, rotate around the coffin every 20 minutes, with the total shift for each guard spanning six hours in duration. Several nearby officials were seen rushing to his aid as the BBC’s live YouTube feed quickly stopped, for a short time, instead showing an exterior of the building. It is not yet known if the guard suffered any injuries, The Telegraph reported. The incident also sparked concern on social media from those watching in the wee hours. The Queen’s coffin arrived at Westminster Hall on Wednesday after King Charles III and the rest of the former monarch’s family marched behind as it was carried from Buckingham Palace in a procession. The procession was watched by tens of thousands as the coffin passed through the heart of the capital. The former monarch’s stay will continue until her state funeral on Monday. A rehearsal for the state funeral procession is due to take place later on Thursday.
