A royal guard collapsed while watching over the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall overnight.
The guard, who appeared to be a member of the Royal Company of Archers, the sovereign’s bodyguard in Scotland, was standing at the foot off the late monarch's casket when he suddenly fell to the floor.
Footage shared on social media shows police rushing to help as gasps can be heard from mourners queuing to see the queen’s casket.
The Archers guarded the queen’s coffin round the clock while the cortege made its way from Balmoral to Edinburgh earlier in the week. Members are now keeping vigil at Westminster alongside the Gentlemen at Arms, the Yeomen of the Guard, at Westminster Hall.
There are 530 members of the Archers, who must be Scottish or have strong connections to the country. They wear green uniforms with a beret finished off with a feather and carry bows. The company still functions as an archery club, the purpose for which it was originally formed in 1676.
Guards are prone to fainting because they must stand still for long periods of time, leading blood to pool in their legs, making it harder for it to return to the heart. Heat, dehydration and tiredness are also risk factors.
The problem is so common, guards are actually taught to faint in a particular way, toppling forward face first, while still holding their rifles, or bow, in the guard's case on Wednesday night in Westminster.
The queen's casket will lie in state until the morning of Monday's state funeral. Tens of thousands of people are expected to file past to pay their respects before then.
Queen Elizabeth II's coffin procession from Buckingham Palace - in pictures
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King Charles III, Prince William and Princess Anne salute alongside Prince Harry and Prince Andrew, as the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II arrives at the Palace of Westminster, following a procession from Buckingham Palace. AFP -
Queen Elizabeth lies in state in Westminster Hall before the public is allowed in to pay their respects. Getty Images -
Prince William, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, walk in the procession as it arrives at Westminster Hall. AP -
Britain's Prime Minister Liz Truss at Westminster Hall. AP -
The choir performs at Westminster Hall. Reuters -
A view of the London skyline during the procession of the coffin. AP -
Zara Tindall, her husband Mike Tindall and Princess Eugenie arrive at Westminster Hall. AP -
The imperial state crown sits on top of the coffin carrying Queen Elizabeth into Westminster Hall. Getty Images -
The coffin is laid to rest in Westminster Hall. Getty Images -
Prince Harry, Prince William, and Prince Edward follow the bearer party carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth into Westminster Hall. PA -
A woman wipes away tears as she joins people sitting in Hyde Park. AP -
Life Guards, a unit of the Household Cavalry, stand guard outside the Palace of Westminster. Getty Images -
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry depart after the procession. Getty Images -
The coffin is carried down The Mall. PA -
A man overcome with emotion in Hyde Park. AP -
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth is carried on a horse-drawn gun carriage of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery. PA -
Mourners watch the procession at Hyde Park. Getty Images -
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth, adorned with the royal standard and the imperial state crown, and pulled by a gun carriage of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, during the procession from Buckingham Palace in London. AFP -
The procession leaves Buckingham Palace. Getty Images -
King Charles follows the coffin of Queen Elizabeth. PA -
The imperial state crown on the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II. AFP -
Catherine, Princess of Wales, is driven behind the coffin. AFP -
King Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry walk behind the coffin of Queen Elizabeth. AFP -
King Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward walk behind the coffin. Getty -
The cortege makes its way along The Mall from Buckingham Palace. Getty -
Prince William and Prince Harry follow the coffin. AP -
Grenadier Guards flank the coffin of Queen Elizabeth. AP -
Royal Navy soldiers march ahead of the procession near Big Ben. Getty -
Coldstream Guards prepare outside Buckingham Palace, before the ceremonial procession. PA -
King Charles waves to the crowds after leaving Clarence House in central London, before the procession. AFP -
Crowds gather along The Mall. Reuters -
Members of the Life Guards leave Wellington Barracks ahead of the procession. AP -
Mourners gather to watch the procession in Hyde Park. Getty -
A mourner at The Mall decorated with images of Queen Elizabeth. PA -
Queen Consort Camilla arriving at Buckingham Palace. AFP
