Heartwarming moment King's Guard horse rewards delighted little girl with a 'kiss' after she makes sweet gesture
This is the heartwarming moment a King's Guard horse rewarded a delighted little girl with a 'kiss' on the forehead after she made a sweet gesture.
Footage taken in central London showed the young girl and her mother slowly approach the King's Guard and his horse outside St James' Palace for a picture.
The sweet the clip, which racked up over 2.5 million views, was shared on the @royalguards_england21 TikTok account.
The girl was seen putting cash into the guard's boot before the horse 'kissed' the top of her head.
The horses can be notoriously unpredictable and there are signs clearly stating: 'Beware, horses may kick or bite'.
An additional warning to tourists requests that people do not touch the animals.
The soldier however appeared to make an exception for the young girl as he ushered his horse to move forward for her.
While some people believe that placing money in a King's Guard boot is a gesture to bring good luck, this is not a universally recognised or official practice.
Additionally, some view such actions as disrespectful to the guards as they go about their duties, undermining their authority and professionalism, but others claimed the money collected is often donated to military charities.
Taking to the comments many questioned why the young girl put money into the guards boot.
One person wrote: 'Why do people give the guard money? Just asking.'
To which someone replied: 'It goes to charity, it's an old tradition.'
Another said: 'I didn't know they could take cash, very cool!'
Someone else questioned: 'Now you need to give a tip if you want to take a picture close to the horse without it biting you.'
A fourth added: 'Is putting cash in the boot a common thing? Never seen that before.'
Meanwhile other gushed over the 'respectful' way the family approached the guard and his horse.
Taking to the comments many questioned why the little girl put money into the guards boot
Meanwhile other gushed over the 'respectful' way the family approached the guard and his horse
One person said: 'Horses know the genuine ones ... Great gesture by the family and the horse appreciated it.'
Another added: 'This is how it should be done ask first then show complete respect. Well done young lady.'
Someone else added: 'Horses understand the body language and the respect people have! they truly can feel people's emotions and presence!'
However it doesn't always go so pleasantly for tourists, as recently two naive visitors were in for a shock reaction from a King's Guard after they attempted to grab the reins of his horse while posing for a photograph.
In the first incident, a bearded man wearing a blue waterproof jacket, smiled as he approached the disciplined military animal at Horse Guards Parade in London.
But just seconds after touching the leather straps of the reins, the usually silent King's Guard sitting on the horse suddenly screamed out: 'Go away!'
A tense look between the two men then followed, with the man - who looked visibly shocked at the outburst - recovering himself to stand back in position and smile for a quick photograph.
With the picture taken, the man's smile quickly dropped and he looked back again at the ceremonially-dressed soldier before walking away.
In a second incident, a female tourist wearing a grey jumper and trousers attempted the same feat and grabbed at the reigns of the animal while posing for a photograph.
This prompts the King's Guard to scream out at the entitled tourist: 'Don't hold the reins!'
But after the tourist failed to react to his words, he motioned to the horse to step forward, causing the woman to recoil in fright. Determined still to get her photo, she stood close to the horse but looked tense as the image was taken.
This latest episode at the popular tourist destination follows a string of incidents where sightseers have got to close for comfort with the regal animals.
The horses - which have signs next to them saying 'Beware, horses may kick or bite. Don't touch the reins. Thank you.' - have been known to bite unfamiliar people when they get too close to them.
Earlier this month, a Spanish tourist was scolded by the King's Guard after she repeatedly flapped her umbrella to agitate his horse.
The young woman clad in a raincoat was seen turning to laugh with her friends after quickly opening and closing the umbrella in front the animal.
After provoking the animal, the King's Guard sitting on the horse then calls the emergency bell several times while trying to calm his horse.
He repeatedly strokes the animal and pats their back while he waits for two other guards to appear on foot.
The soldier then alerts them of the reckless tourist and after a few moments of identification, the guard walks over to the woman.
He then calmly tells her 'we'd appreciate it if you don't flap that in the horses faces'.
The sheepish tourist was then told her flapping 'can spark a reaction out of the horses and they're just doing their job'.
'They're nice to look at but please be respectful, they are doing a job,' the guard added.
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