Drama as guard FAINTS off the podium while holding vigil beside Queen’s coffin in Westminster Hall
- Hundreds of thousands of mourners are queuing to pay their final respects
- But well-wishers were aghast tonight when man collapsed while standing guard
- He had moments earlier stepped off the podium before retaking his position
- But seconds later the guard blacked out and fell forwards onto the stone floor
- Full coverage: Click here to see all our coverage of the Queen’s passing
A guard has fainted off the podium while holding vigil next to the Queen‘s Coffin as she lies in state inside the Palace of Westminster.
Hundreds of thousands of mourners have been queuing to pay their final respects to the monarch following her death at Balmoral on Thursday.
But onlookers were aghast when a guard began swaying on his feet moments before he collapsed.
The man had moments earlier briefly stepped off the podium before retaking his place as other servicemen joined him for a changeover.
But seconds later he blacked out and fell forwards, landing sprawled on the stone floor to loud gasps from bystanders queueing to pay their respects.
The live stream also cut out for several minutes as police rushed to the man’s aid.
The Queen’s coffin, which has been placed on a raised platform called a catafalque, is being guarded around the clock by units from the Sovereign’s Bodyguard, the Household Division, or Yeoman Warders of the Tower of London.
The moment the guard fell forward onto the stone floor as police officers quickly rush to his aid this evening
Members of the public inside the historic hall to pay their final respects gave out loud grasps as the man fell
Two police officers quickly rushed to help the man as the remaining guards continued to hold vigil next to the coffin
It comes after crowds lined the streets of central London as she was moved from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall on Wednesday afternoon.
King Charles, William and Harry reunited to mourn and march behind the coffin it made its final journey out of Buckingham Palace at 2.22pm.
A short service was held involving the Royal Family at the Palace of Westminster, before members of the public were given access to pay their respects from 5pm.
Thousands of well-wishers have passed through the historic hall throughout the evening and into the early hours of this morning.
Mourners waiting to pay their respects have been given colour-coded wristbands in order to temporarily leave the queue to buy food and use the toilet.
Stewards staffing the route have also been advised to spot people who may be struggling, take them out of the queue for a ‘cup of tea’. They may then be allowed closer to the front.
The Palace of Westminster will remain open 24 hours a day until 6.30am on Monday – the day of the Queen’s funeral.
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