Prince William thanks soldiers who fainted during King Charles III’s birthday rehearsal
Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
Prince William issued a rare personal note to thank the soldiers who took part in King Charles lll’s birthday rehearsal in the scorching heat.
Multiple soldiers fainted — including one band member who continued playing the trombone after passing out — as temperatures in London soared to 86 degrees Saturday.
“A big thank you to every soldier who took part in the Colonel’s Review this morning in the heat. Difficult conditions but you all did a really good job. Thank you. W,” William, 40, tweeted.
The British troops were practicing the Trooping the Colour ahead of the monarch’s annual birthday celebration next week.
The ceremonious event has marked the birthday of the British Sovereign for more than 260 years.
William – who became the Prince of Wales in September 2022 after the passing of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth ll – conducted the formal review of the Welsh Guards for the first time.
Prince William issued a personal note to thank the soldiers who took part in King Charles III’s Trooping the Colour rehearsal. Twitter/@KensingtonRoyal
Multiple soldiers fainted in the scorching heat. AFP via Getty Images
Temperatures rose to around 86 degrees. AFP via Getty Images
As the crew stood at attention in front of William, who was on horseback, multiple soldiers fainted, including one guard who was photographed collapsing onto the street. He was quickly taken away on a stretcher carried by four men.
For more Page Six you love …
“Conducting the Colonel’s Review of the King’s Birthday Parade today,” William captioned a series of snaps on Twitter.
“The hard work and preparation that goes into an event like this is a credit to all involved, especially in today’s conditions,” he added.
Multiple people were taken away on stretchers during the rehearsal. AFP via Getty Images
“Difficult conditions but you all did a really good job,” William wrote in part. Twitter/@KensingtonRoyal
In another tweet, which was posted to the Kensington Royal account he shares with wife Kate Middleton, the monarch explained the significance of the annual event.
“Months of preparation and training go into Trooping the Colour. Today members of the Household Division will perform 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,” the tweet read.
Charles’ birthday celebration will also include a parade to Buckingham Palace and a military flypast, which he will watch from the iconic palace balcony.
King Charles lll’s birthday celebration will take place next weekend. Twitter/@KensingtonRoyal
Although William’s estranged brother, Prince Harry, is currently in England testifying against Britain’s Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN), he and wife Meghan Markle reportedly won’t be attending Charles’ birthday parade.
“I’m afraid it’s a reflection of the state of relations at the moment,” a source told The Daily Mail.
The new report comes amid the ongoing fallout from the couple’s withdrawal from the royal family, along with Harry’s explosive memoir, “Spare.”
Source: Page Six
