Jump directly to the content
UNDER PRESSURE

Moment royal guard falls from podium while on duty next to Queen’s coffin, as Westminster Hall live stream is cut short

A LIVE stream of the Queen lying in state had to be pulled off air after a royal guard collapsed while on duty.

The official was standing on the podium beside the late monarch's coffin when he fell to the floor in front of shocked mourners.

The guard was standing beside the Queen's coffin as mourners filed past
3
The guard was standing beside the Queen's coffin as mourners filed pastCredit: BBC
He then collapsed as other servicemen rushed to help him
3
He then collapsed as other servicemen rushed to help himCredit: BBC
He is seen being helped after falling on the ground
3
He is seen being helped after falling on the groundCredit: BBC

Footage of the incident shows the guard swaying before dropping to the ground in Westminster Hall.

Members of the public there to pay their respects to the Queen gasped as other servicemen rushed to help the stricken guard.

A live stream from inside the building was cut short following the incident on Wednesday night but is now back up.

The Queen's coffin has been placed on a podium, known as a catafalque, as she lies in state until Monday, the day of her funeral.

Read More On The Queen's Death

As mourners file past, the platform is being guarded around the clock by Sovereign's Bodyguard, the Household Division, and Yeoman Warders of the Tower of London. 

Doors opened at 5pm on Wednesday after King Charles III let a poignant procession from Buckingham Palace, flanked by his family.

Thousands of tearful members of the public are queueing through the streets as they wait to enter in emotional scenes following the Queen's death last Thursday.

The late monarch's coffin, draped in the Royal Standard, will lie in state at Westminster Hall until 6.30am on Monday.

Millions of people are expected to make their way to London this week to say goodbye to Her Majesty while she's lying in state at Parliament's Westminster Hall.

The queue could reach lengths of ten miles, with infrastructure currently set up to support nearly seven miles of royal fans stretching from Lambeth Bridge to Southwark Park.

If necessary, the park will accommodate an extra three miles of zig-zag lines.

Many are hoping to offer their condolences to the Queen and be a part of history by viewing her coffin.

But it is not guaranteed that everyone who makes the queue will get to see the Queen lying in state.

Entry to the line will also be paused for a time if the queuing infrastructure cannot take any more people.

Read More on The Sun

There will be an element of self-policing when it comes to people keeping their places in the queue for the Queen’s lying in state, it is understood.

Those waiting in line will be given a coloured and numbered wristband, specific to each person, allowing them to leave for a reasonable amount of time.

Topics