A tourist in central London this week got more than he bargained for after getting a little too close to a King’s Guards horse and being shot by the soldier.
In the video, a crowd of tourists can be seen clamoring for a mounted guard from the Horse Guard parade in Westminster.
Multiple nervous tourists are seen approaching the mounted couple, respecting their distance and posing for smiling photos.
Some brave souls are seen hesitantly placing their hands on the flanks of the huge horse, which the mounted guard kindly allows.
However, one tourist overstepped the limit and, while trying to touch the horse, tampered with the reins, causing the Kingsguard to roar, “Don’t touch the reins!”
One tourist went over the limit and while trying to touch the horse, he messed with the reins
This caused the Royal Guard to roar, “Don’t touch the reins!”
The tourist is clearly shocked and backs away from the horse raising his hand in apology as the crowd chatters nervously.
The King’s Guards are posted for public duties outside Buckingham and St James’s Palaces, and with Horse Guards at Whitehall.
Although their role is mainly ceremonial, they are part of the Household Division of the British Army, patrolling the palaces and guarding the sovereign at night.
A sign next to the guard warns spectators that horses may kick or bite and tells them not to touch the reins.
If these rules are not followed, they are known to react aggressively. They take their duties so seriously, but there are times when the human side of the guards comes out.
Earlier this month, a young man was treated to the kinder side of a member of the King’s LifeGuard.
A video capturing the moment was posted on the YouTube channel and has so far received 44,000 views. The King’s British Guard.
The clip showed the heartwarming moment as the man wanted to pet the horse as the soldier approached so he could take a picture.
When the man realized what was happening, he was overcome with excitement to get a closer look at the horse.
A young man was treated to the kinder side of a member of the King’s Life Guard in London on Tuesday
The video was captioned, “What a kind and priceless moment from King’s Guard for a special teenager!
The guard looked and saw the special man and moved the horse towards him and when the man finished and wanted to go, he repeated, “Bye” to the guard.
“What a precious moment to witness.”
It’s not all laughs, though: In another video, another of the King’s Guards pressed an emergency button after struggling to control his horse.
Video footage showed the guard pressing the button while stationed outside Horse Guards in London, as the unruly animal continued to shake its head and refuse to stay still.
Before the sentry called for help, he repeatedly tried to control his horse as it moved from side to side.
The restless horse was constantly on the clip with his mouth open, apparently hindered by something tickling his chin.
He was also seen to appear uncomfortable with his bit, the accessory used to control a horse’s mouth.
A member of the Royal Guard pressed the emergency button after struggling to control his horse
The guard called for help after battling the restless animal for more than ten minutes
But after fighting with the animal for more than ten minutes, the guard decided to press the alarm button with his left arm.
No one seemed to respond to the 911 call, although another guard was filmed walking up to the man before walking away again.