Royal guard video kicking child in the way

[DickMabutt73962]

I wasn't born and raised in the UK and am not into the culture of 'tradition' but I don't understand the majority of reactions to this video blaming the parent and saying of the guards 'it's their job'.

Can anyone more enlightened explain to me why this was necessary? As far as I can see the guard is marching, not saving London from attack. I don't see why a side-step wouldn't work. And if this is a register thing then maybe future control of how close members of the public are able to get in their path

www.indy100.com/viral/queen-royal-guard-trampled-kid-tiktok-video-b1983965

@KeflavikAirport

No-one is claiming this child speaks English. The point is lots of people there don't therefore you can't expect them all to react appropriately to someone hollering "make way".

Not speaking in English doesn’t make people stupid enough to go and stand in front of a marching guard, if they’re that stupid I’m impressed they made it out their own front door.

@mathanxiety

Do you think this man should have been mowed down too?

Oh good grief you jumped the shark way up thread, you don't need to jump an even bigger one.

I suppose "watch your kids properly" is the overriding message then.

There isn't any other avenue in life where it is acceptable for someone to use "they were in my way" as a reason to barge and step on another person.

I agree that the child should have been properly supervised, but ultimately this is a tourist attraction. The only agreed remaining value of the royal family is as a tourist attraction. Tourists come to see the changing of the guard for the pomp and ceremony. If the soldier's sole objective is to protect the Queen, then it would surely be simpler just to change guards without ceremony at an hour where few people are around, but that's not the sole objective of these particular soldiers. Their objective is also to provide pomp and ceremony for the tourists.

Mutual respect is what's missing from this scene. And a child has gone away with a very poor message about when it is ok for another person to hurt them.

Well shit happens. Non-NT and deaf people are allowed to visit these places too, do they deserve to be knocked over if they get in the way too? Or are they just stupid?

@WalkersAreNotTheOnlyCrisps

I suppose "watch your kids properly" is the overriding message then.

Yes.

“Brutal scene” - seriously get a grip

Load of fuss over nothing - they are soldiers at work not cosplay actors….

Haven't RTFT but I live and work in Central London and taught my child from an early age not to get in a guardsman's way, nor touch the horses in Horse Guards, because they are doing a job and you will get hurt if you obstruct them.

I've seen tourists do daft things around Whitehall and Buckingham Palace, like obstructing horse parades and winding up guardsmen by aping their marches or trying to get them to move. Just don't do it. They are trained soldiers, there to protect the Crown.

I agree a lot of rituals you see in London look silly but there are thousands of years of tradition (and anachronistic law) behind them. London is not unique in this regard. Many other European cities have rituals and traditions that stretch back hundreds or thousands of years. The Vatican is an obvious example.

@KeflavikAirport

Well shit happens. Non-NT and deaf people are allowed to visit these places too, do they deserve to be knocked over if they get in the way too? Or are they just stupid?

My son is hearing impaired, he knows that choosing to stand in front of someone walking and choosing not to move is stupid, he’s 6.

and if someone pushed him in their way that's just his tough shit, right?

To those who says everyone knows the traditions/quirky ways of the Guards, or that everyone visiting should bloody well do their homework, I offer this gem from the Tower website:
www.hrp.org.uk/keeping-you-safe-on-your-visit/
You can expect a warm, welcoming and safe experience while you’re with us.

Maybe someone else can find the necessary warning on this site about the danger of being knocked over by the Guards. I have looked and come up empty handed. I did notice how crowded the outdoor spaces seem to be though, in all the photos.

One of the things that makes Britain look primitive tbh. The Royal Guards stop for no one, thru continue with their March blah blah blah. Same as those guards who don’t move or speak at all of someone staves right in front of their faces.

Also a different child would’ve got more sympathy.

There isn't any other avenue in life where it is acceptable for someone to use "they were in my way" as a reason to barge and step on another person.

I agree.

Apparently if you have connections to the royal family you can do what you want.

No other role would not allow you to put a hand out as a sorry gesture or side step slight when there’s a child present.

I've seen tourists do daft things around Whitehall and Buckingham Palace, like obstructing horse parades and winding up guardsmen by aping their marches or trying to get them to move. Just don't do it. They are trained soldiers, there to protect the Crown.

If you did anything like this at a war memorial parade in Washington you'd be the subject of extreme anger and possibly violence from ordinary American citizens.

This whole things is storm in a tea cup and paints the American tourists in an entitled and dumb light. Plus ça change.

@nocoolnamesleft

At least it wasn't the US, so the kid wasn't shot.

I was thinking the same, actually not just the US, I think lots of armed soldiers guarding important places in the world wouldn't think twice. Terrorists using kids to distract soldiers isn't much of a stretch is it.

@KeflavikAirport

and if someone pushed him in their way that's just his tough shit, right?

If my other child was so poorly behaved to push his sibling in front of someone that would be my failure as a parent.

Mathanxiety I can assure you that the message you quote is correct. The welcome is warm and safety is taken seriously. Beefeaters clear people out of the path of the soldiers and warnings are given loudly and clearly.

@TockedOffTicketyBoo

One of the things that makes Britain look primitive tbh. The Royal Guards stop for no one, thru continue with their March blah blah blah. Same as those guards who don’t move or speak at all of someone staves right in front of their faces.

Also a different child would’ve got more sympathy.

What on earth do you mean, a different child?

What an absolute non story. 100% on the parents of that kid - they should have been watching him better.

@KeflavikAirport

Well shit happens. Non-NT and deaf people are allowed to visit these places too, do they deserve to be knocked over if they get in the way too? Or are they just stupid?

My dd has ASD, and can bolt suddenly.

If this had been her in the video, I’d be furious at myself. Firstly, for bringing her to an event that caused her to become overwhelmed and try to run away. Secondly, for not anticipating that this could happen and watching her like a hawk, keeping her within grabbing distance.

Math you really are digging a hole.

Answer the question about Arlington?

Is it cause this kid was American?

Not speaking in English doesn’t make people stupid enough to go and stand in front of a marching guard, if they’re that stupid I’m impressed they made it out their own front door.

So now the child is 'stupid'?

Delightful.

Eh? The guard doesn't kick him, he trips over him. And the kid jumps back up again. Big fuss over nothing.

@Lockheart

Also, in assuming that the weapons were not loaded. But am I wrong about that?

They are loaded.

People really don't seem to realise that these are soldiers on active duty.

This....

That child looked old enough to know better, not a toddler. He wasn't kicked, the soldier tried not to tread on him.

I agree some people treat those soldiers like zoo animals, taunting them trying to make them laugh etc