Buckingham Palace has announced the temporary suspension of the traditional Changing of the Guard ceremony as Britain grapples with an extreme heatwave.
The historic military spectacle, one of London and Windsor’s most popular tourist attractions, has been called off for three days amid concerns for the welfare of soldiers, military working horses and the thousands of visitors who typically gather to watch.
The ceremony, which usually takes place at 11am every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, features troops dressed in heavy ceremonial uniforms and bearskin hats, alongside mounted personnel and military working horses.
Earlier this week, the Household Division, which oversees the ceremonial duties of the seven British Army regiments serving His Majesty King Charles III, confirmed the event would be suspended until Friday as temperatures are forecast to climb towards 40°C.
The United Kingdom is currently experiencing an intense heatwave, with the Met Office and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issuing rare red heat-health alerts for parts of the Midlands, south-east Wales and southern England.
Authorities have warned of significant impacts on public health, transport networks and infrastructure.
“Due to the forecasted excessive temperatures expected this week across the country the daily Ceremonial Operations will be slightly changed to take the hot weather into account,” the Household Division said in a statement.
“We take the wellbeing of our soldiers and military working horses very seriously and like the rest of the country are aware of the forecasted excessive temperatures expected this week including a RED alert towards the middle of the week.
“The Met Office and other Government agencies have issued detailed advice and recommend a reduction in travel and activities outside.”
The Household Division said several adjustments would be made to ceremonial operations throughout the week to minimise risks.
“To support this effort, and reduce risks to military personnel and horses as well as, importantly, to the public, who usually gather in large numbers to watch these events, this week will see some changes.
“There will be no ceremonial guard changes in Windsor and London on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.
“The King’s Life Guard (the mounted troops at Horse Guards) will change without ceremony at 0800 on Wednesday to avoid heat stress to horses.”
While ceremonial proceedings have been scaled back, soldiers will continue carrying out guard duties at royal residences.
Officials noted visitors “may notice that they have been moved to shaded positions” and that guards are being relieved more frequently throughout the day.
“This is normal practice in hot weather,” the statement said.
“We understand this is a busy time of year for visitors to watch the Ceremonial Operations at each of the various locations.
“Whilst it may be disappointing not to experience the Ceremonial Operations in full, it is important the wellbeing of the public, our soldiers and military working horses is maintained at all times.”
The decision marks a rare interruption to one of the royal family’s most enduring public traditions.
The most recent suspension occurred on June 24, 2024, ahead of the state visit of the Emperor of Japan.
Prior to that, the ceremony was halted for 18 months from March 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.skynews.com.au ’
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