I'm shocked at this picture in the news..

[AppelFrench]

A Queen's guard being given water. Can you imagine wearing a wool jacket & bearskin hat in this heat? This uniform needs rethinking for extreme heat.

I hit this moment a long time ago when learning more about the potato famine in Ireland. People in dire poverty and the then Queen pops over, not to help them, but to lift their spirits.

Aren't there ceremonial guards in other countries where there is no Royal family?

Should of called in sick 😂poor guy, I don’t envy him. Ridiculous that the uniform is the same all year round.

The Evzone guards at the Greek Parliament look quite cool in their ceremonials but it's a much lighter uniform than in the UK.

i doubt it is bear skin nowadays

It's such an ugly uniform, am I missing something though, why can't he hold it himself?

They stand like statues, so a mannekin dressed up like them would do anyday, not just in this heat!

They are ceremonial, and I doubt they protect anything. Photo ops mostly, so who could tell if they were replaced with statues/tailor's dummies/ etc. That's right, no one.

Changing of the guard would no longer be required either. Sorted.

A quick Google will show that he has worn the bearskin on parade on several occasions. Not sure whether he sweated though 😂

It's abuse

It really is outdated, and actually cruel to make someone stand there wearing a ridiculously hot outfit, in this weather.

I can't think of another country that still practises these batshit traditions.

Yep. And as with these guards they are part of armed forces, not employed or organised by the Royal Family.

A Guardian investigation has revealed that dozens of UK laws stipulate that police are barred from entering any of the Queen’s private estates without her consent to investigate crimes ranging from wildlife offences to environmental pollution – a unique privilege not granted to any other private landowner in the UK.

Nobody should be above the law

This has given me the rage

It is real bearskin. However it is not farmed, as someone suggested above - it is taken as a by product of the culling of bears that Canada undertakes each year. So if the bears are going to be killed anyway I think it's fair enough that the skins are put to good use.

They have tried synthetic ones but can't apparently get one that's appropriate.

They're aren't just ceremonial, they are armed guards. Yes it looks sweltering but there probably wouldn't be a load of appetite for an armed soldier in military rig in central London. People know what they are signing up to when they join them, there will be protocols in place like switching out more often and stuff.

It's ridiculous. All around the world there are practical examples of uniform that works in hot weather. There should always be options.

In schools of course the best option would be to simply do away with it altogether.

They also don't work directly for and aren't commissioned by the Queen, they are part of the armed forces so the Royal family's input is limited.

This is an army soldier whose training and skillset will involve enduring extreme weather conditions.
Far rather an hour or so sentry duty outside Buckingham Palace than some of the training exercises they have to endure in extreme cold.

Exactly!

I was horrified at that picture too. They should be provided with suitable clothing, shelter and water for the weather. Expecting them to stand like that, in the full glare of the sun is utterly barbaric.

True!

Soldiers choose their regiment, they sign up knowing they are going to wear this.

Insane

It's disgusting but I should imagine the royal family aren't bothered about their comfort in the least.

Agree