Extreme London summer causes 3 British soldiers to collapse during rehearsal

During a final rehearsal for the Trooping the Color parade in London, three British soldiers collapse, prompting Prince William to express concern for their well-being. The incident took place on 10 June, when the guards, dressed in their traditional heavy woolen tunics, pants and bearskin hats, succumbed to the sweltering heat of 90 °F (about 32 °C). According to the British Council, this temperature is quite unusual for a London summer, with average temperatures during this season ranging from 48 to 64 °F (9 to 18 °C). However, instances of temperatures reaching 86 °F (30 °C) are becoming more frequent.

Three soldiers faint in the heat during a royal parade in front of Prince William #UK #the parade #PrinceWilliamIsAKing #faint pic.twitter.com/9bfd1wzdv1– Ismail Jabiyev (@ismayiljabiyev) June 10, 2023

Expressing gratitude for their dedication, Prince William took to Twitter to acknowledge the soldiers’ efforts despite the challenging conditions. He praised their performance saying, “Many thanks to every soldier who took part in the Colonel’s review this morning. Tough conditions but you all did a really good job. Thank you. W”

Many thanks to each and every soldier who attended the Colonel’s Review this morning in the heat of the moment. Tough conditions but you all have done a really good job. Thank you. w

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) June 10, 2023

In another tweet, he highlighted the immense preparation and hard work required for such an event, especially in the current circumstances.

Months of preparation and training go into Trooping the Colour. Today members of the Domestic Division will hold their final major rehearsal for the event in front of members of the public in London.

With thanks to the Welsh Guards, Household Cavalry and @armyinlondon , pic.twitter.com/mTGxvQzAhJ— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) June 10, 2023

The parade was attended by over 1,400 soldiers from the Household Division and the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery. Prince William, Honorary Colonel of the Welsh Guards, oversaw the proceedings.

The colonel’s review serves as a rehearsal for “Trooping the Colour”, an annual military parade held in June to mark the monarch’s official birthday, according to the British royal family’s official website. King Charles III will preside over the ceremony on 17 June.

James Calford, an 18-year-old soldier and the youngest of them, compared the experience to standing in a sauna holding 200 kg dumbbells. A military trombonist, after fainting, bravely attempted to continue playing as medical personnel rushed to his aid.

Recognizing the intensity of the heatwave, the UK Health Security Agency issued a hot weather warning, particularly for southern England, stressing the need for precautionary measures.