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WorldSoldier faints before the King and Queen show up for Garter Day...

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Soldier faints before the King and Queen show up for Garter Day procession

One sad soldier succumbed to heat exhaustion just as the Royal Family arrived at Windsor Castle for today’s historic Order of the Garter procession.

The Household Cavalryman, who was dressed in full ceremonial garb, including a metal helmet, collapsed to the ground while facing the sun’s intensity.

A police officer and some bystanders were seen on surveillance footage helping the soldier stand up just before the parade passed them.

King Charles and Queen Camilla led the Royal party, including the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and Princess Anne with her husband, Vice Admiral, Sir Anthony Lawrence, during the Garter Day parade.

Disgraced Prince Andrew is said to have joined them for lunch in his role as Royal Knight Companion but was not allowed to take part in the parade.

The event, described as the most senior Order of Chivalry in Britain, was set up in medieval times by King Edward III, who was inspired by the legend of King Arthur’s Knights of the Round Table.  

He set up his own group of honourable knights, called the Order of the Garter.

There are 24 spaces for Knights and Ladies Companion, who are recognised for their work and public service and hail from a variety of backgrounds.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla attend the annual Order of the Garter Service at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, Berkshire. Picture date: Monday June 19, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story ROYAL Garter. Photo credit should read: Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA Wire
The soldier fainted moments before the arrival of the King and Queen (Picture: PA)
WINDSOR, ENGLAND - JUNE 19: A member of the Household Cavalry faints in position and is helped to his feet ahead of the Order Of The Garter Service at Windsor Castle on June 19, 2023 in Windsor, England. The Order of the Garter is the oldest and most senior Order of Chivalry in Britain. Knights of the Garter are chosen personally by the Sovereign to honour those who have held public office, contributed in a particular way to national life or who have served the Sovereign personally. During the service, the Baroness Ashton of Upholland GCMG will be installed as a Lady Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, and the Lord Patten of Barnes CH will be installed as a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. (Photo by Chris Jackson - Pool/Getty Images)
Officials rushed to help the member of Household Cavalry after his fall (Picture: Getty)

Former Prime Ministers Tony Blair and John Major were among guests seen going into St George’s Chapel for the prestigious ceremony.

Almost 3,000 royal fans gathered to watch the event unfold, cheering as the King and Queen waved.

The Baroness Ashton of Upholland GCMG was installed as a Lady Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, and the Lord Patten of Barnes CH was installed as a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.

Catherine, Princess of Wales and Prince William, Prince of Wales depart the Order Of The Garter Service at Windsor Castle, on June 19, 2023 in Windsor, Britain. Chris Jackson/Pool via REUTERS
The Prince and Princess of Wales leaving the service at Windsor Castle (Picture: REUTERS)

It is not the first time a soldier has fainted at a high-profile event.

Footage emerged of a trombonist desperately trying to continue playing his instrument after he was one of several soldiers to collapse during a rehearsal of the Trooping the Colour earlier this month.

Prince William tweeted after the event: ‘A big thank you to every soldier who took part in the Colonel’s Review this morning in the heat.

‘Difficult conditions but you all did a really good job. Thank you. W.”

A royal guard fell to the floor while watching the late Queen’s coffin during the first day of her lying in state at Westminster Abbey last September, leading to the live broadcast being halted.

Another member of the Household Cavalry was pictured face first on the ground after falling over during a Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in 2021.

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