Latest news with #KingsGuard
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Neigh-ver letting go! King's Guard horse bites tourist's arm after she stands too close
Watch the moment a King's Guard horse bites a tourist after she stood too close to it. The animal was filmed chomping down on the woman's arm while she posed for a picture in Whitehall, London. Click above to watch the full video.
Daily Mail
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
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.
Daily Mail
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Adorable moment King's Guard horse leans into the frame as a blind tourist poses for photo - and is rewarded with a salute
A King's Guard horse and a blind man have melted hearts after they posed for a photo together. A visually impaired tourist, thought to be from the US, travelled to Horse Guards Parade in central London where he politely asked the King's Guard and his horse whether he could take a picture with them. When the soldier agreed, the man then thanked them both and asked: 'Can somebody help me please?' A woman then stepped in to take the sweet snap of him and the guards, as the traveller then slowly backed up towards the wall while taking off his dark-tinted glasses. The man asked: 'May I step on the white line, sir?' He then beamed as he posed with the pair - before the adorable horse warmly leaned towards the man to get into the frame. After thanking the woman who took the snap, the blind man saluted the soldier and his well-behaved partner. 'Thank you sir, thank you for your service,' he said, before placing his phone back into his pocket and carefully navigating himself out of the way. The globetrotter was then seen zooming into the image and holding the phone right up to his eyes, seemingly to review the picture. Cavalry Blacks, which are distinctive for their height and black hair, are typically used by the Life Guards, the Blues and Royals. According to The Horse Trust, this specific breed 'are known for their striking appearance and calm temperament'. The charity added: 'Their presence symbolises the elegance and discipline of the British cavalry.' The heartwarming clip was shared by @royalguards_england21 on TikTok and has since racked up over one million views. TikTok users shared their thoughts on the clip, with many commenting on how well-mannered the man was towards the guard and his horse. One wrote: 'God bless his soul,' while another penned: 'And that's how you respect the guards!!!' A third said: 'If only everyone was as well mannered as this [man], the world would be a much better place. Lovely to see.' A fourth commented: 'He can come back anytime. Saluting and thanking him. What a beautiful man.' A fifth added: 'Nice to see our soldiers being respected and not laughed at. Based outside Buckingham Palace and St James's Palace, the King's Guard is made up of highly-trained soldiers. The King's Life Guard are mounted soldiers based at the official main entrance to both St James's Palace and Buckingham Palace. Signs are placed around areas where the Guards are positioned, warning the public that the horses may bite or kick if they get too close. The soldiers are on duty 'at their post' for two hours and come to attention every 10 minutes. They are subject to strict rules including not being permitted to eat, sleep, smoke, sit, or lie down during their tour. Smiling is also strictly forbidden and they must maintain a stoic demeanour. Many guided walking tours involve a visit to the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace or St. James's Palace which typically happens once a day, usually at 10.45am and lasts for about 45 minutes.
Daily Mail
24-05-2025
- Daily Mail
All the times tourists have angered the King's Guard - and the real reason for their severe reaction
For many, a trip to London is not complete without a visit to see the Changing of the Guard. While some tourists from foreign countries arguably are unaware of the custom and the job of the King's Guard, others deliberately taunt and tease them in the hope of a reaction.
