Officials have taken the extraordinary step of suspending the Changing of the Guard ceremonies at two of the king’s royal residences because of an extreme heatwave sweeping parts of Europe.
The cancellation came as King Charles was photographed being fanned by a royal aide during an event inside St James’ Palace, which does not have air conditioning.
The Changing of the Guard ceremonies at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle have been cancelled this week due to the extreme heat affecting the UK and Europe. AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali
The ceremonies are among the most popular tourist drawcards to those visiting Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle but they have been scrapped this week as a safety measure to protect those involved and the large crowds.
The UK reached its hottest June day on record, with temperatures soaring to 36℃ in Wisley, Surrey. The Met Office, the national weather forecaster, issued a “red heat health” alert for much of central and southern England, as well as Wales.
The red heat warning was only the second issued by UK authorities following July 2022, when temperatures exceeded 40℃ for the first time.
The temperature could reach above 40℃ on Thursday.
In response, The Household Division − the group of British Army regiments tasked with protecting the monarch and performing ceremonial duties − announced changes to its much-loved schedule.
The Changing of the Guard ceremonies, held outside Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, were cancelled on Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday’s and Friday’s ceremonies have also been scrapped due to “excessive temperatures”.
“We take the wellbeing of our soldiers and military working horses very seriously,” the division said in a statement.
The Changing of the Guard ceremonies at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle are popular with tourists, drawing huge crowds several times a week. AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali
“The Met Office and other Government agencies have issued detailed advice and recommend a reduction in travel and activities outside. 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.”
The heatwave has also seen changes to the usual guarding of other royal buildings such as Horse Guards Parade with no ceremony taking place there either “to avoid heat stress to horses”.
“While soldiers are on Guard, the public may notice that they have been moved to shaded positions and are changed more frequently. This is normal practice in hot weather.”
The Changing of the Guard is one of the most iconic and popular things to see for those visiting London and Windsor. It involves the soldiers, wearing their distinctive heavy bearskin hats and red tunics, swap shifts to music in a tradition dating back hundreds of years.
Ceremonial guard duty at the royal residences began in the 1600s and were originally held at the Palace of Whitehall, before being relocated to St James’s Palace in 1689. They then moved to Buckingham Palace following Queen Victoria’s arrival there in 1837.
King Charles was fanned by an aide as he attended a London Climate Week reception inside Clarence House on Wednesday. Yui Mok – Pool/Getty Images
“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 Changing of the Guard ceremonies have previously been cancelled including during the height of the coronavirus pandemic.
The King was fanned by Vice Admiral Sir Tony Johnstone Burt at the St James’s Palace reception. Getty Images
Despite the hot weather, King Charles carried on with his official duty on Wednesday by undertaking three separate engagements.
He welcomed the Afghan Women’s Refugee Cricket Team to Clarence House in London before taking part in a London Climate Week reception where he was seen being fanned by an aide.
Vice Admiral Sir Tony Johnstone-Burt, the Master of the Household to the Sovereign, was photographed holding the small battery-powered fan as the monarch spoke to guests inside the historic building, which does not have air conditioning.
Guests were provided with folding fans while a nurse was on standby to attend to anyone unable to deal with the heat.
The monarch ended his busy day with a visit to REORG, a charity which supports military personnel, veterans and emergency service workers through Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training in safe and supportive environments.