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'd like to know the origins behind the uniform and whether there was ever any intention of it being worn year-round. It's pageantry gone mad.

My god you can really tell the people on this thread that have never served and outraged on behalf of people that really don’t give a shit

There are British soldiers around the world right now in much worse conditions than ten minutes outside Buckingham Palace

I'd wager that there's not one person on this thread who doesn't know that.

The photo highlights the ludicrousness of this particular slice of royal nonsense. No one is saying that soldier has the hardest job on earth.

I mean, he's not even a teacher.

I'M JOKING

Meanwhile- if it was a teacher who had been made to wear this I'm sure people would come up with the usual crap about them just getting on with it and not complaining :D

I’m outraged for the bears.

Watching Boris fucking Johnson arsing around dressed up as a pilot and up in a jet is riling me up somewhat as well.

My uncle was in the Coldstream Guards many years ago and said he was told to wriggle his toes when standing on parade, particularly on hot days, to stop them passing out.

Indeed.

Agreed - absolutely ridiculous, as is the monarchy.

Vile on all levels, like the monarchy.

A couple of things. these are trained soldiers, they are in the army who dictate the requirements of their role not the queen or royal family.

They signed up to specific regiments knowing that out would have ceremonial duties attached - they could have just as easily signed up to the logistics corp or the RAF. They chose their regiment. A lot of them would have been through a lot worse on active duty in afghan and Iraq.

They are not just ceremonial they are soldiers, their weapons are not just for show.

And yes their hats are actual bearskin, it’s probably cooler than having a ton of plastic fake fur on their heads - plus if you’re ok with leather shoes what the difference with a fur hat.

None of you really give a shit about this soldier, do you? It’s just another excuse for anti monarchists to have a good rant.

The bears that are being killed anyway?

None of you really give a shit about this soldier, do you? It’s just another excuse for anti monarchists to have a good rant

As many pp have pointed out, he's trained for it, he signed up for it. Many others have pointed that compared to active service, it's a bit of a walk in the park, according to those with - I gather - knowledge of service.

And yes, since the entire premise of his job is to guard the queen/palace/whatever, anyone who thinks the monarchy is a bloated, expensive joke is probably going to mention it...

The need for them to be killed is debatable. But even if you feel it necessary, the way it’s done is extremely cruel. My SIL is Canadian, family still live there. There’s a lot of people there against the culling entirely and even more against how it’s carried out. So yes, hearing from her and gaining other knowledge of it, I’m outraged for the bears.

There are also horses standing out in this heat all day too, not sure what they’re called.

I didn’t think the bear skins were still real bear skins that’s awful!

They are two separate issues which your hatred for the monarchy is not allowing you to distinguish.

Were the monarchy scrapped (which I agree wouldn’t be the end of the world), guards regiments would still exist. Their sole purpose isn’t to stand around in dress uniform “guarding” the monarch. They are actual soldiers who do tours of duty overseas. The mounted ceremonial division are rotated in and out of the main regiment. The foot guard provide aid to civilian services in times of crisis.

They are two separate issues which your hatred for the monarchy is not allowing you to distinguish

Don't be daft.

Were the monarchy scrapped (which I agree wouldn’t be the end of the world), guards regiments would still exist. Their sole purpose isn’t to stand around in dress uniform “guarding” the monarch. They are actual soldiers who do tours of duty overseas

What's your point? What 'issue' can I not see? Your 'two separate issues' are blindingly obvious ones.

I KNOW that guards regiments would still exist. What they wouldn't be doing is standing in ceremonial dress as - largely - a tourist attraction guarding our bloated, expensive royal family.

Also, I don't have 'hatred for the monarchy.' I disagree with the existence of a royal family. Your language is pointlessly hyperbolic.

DP is also an ex Coldstream Guardsman, he often used the wiggling toes trick to prevent fainting. He has done many a parade where his mates have literally passed out and they are told to just continue and not do anything to help. It must be awful having to just watch your mate pass out and do nothing. He said it's all part of the "discipline" they instil in soldiers. I always used to say to him I don't know how you can stand to wear that stuff, especially in the heat. Thankfully he's no longer in the Army!

You're being ridiculous, he's in the Army!

I think the images from today might have been from Whitehall and not Buck house.

I wonder if they did ceremonials with horses today? The Queen probably thinks more about the welfare of the horses.

I find the sticking to uniforms/traditional dress etc in hot weather ridiculous. Look at Prince George aged 8, at Wimbledon in shirt Jacket tie and long trousers as that is dress code in the Royal Box. Ruddy ridiculous!

🤣🤣🤣

Yes im fully aware that they are serv

He is there for the tourists, not the Queen in my opinion. But perhaps he has an icepack under there? You never know what they hide up their hat. Prince Andrew should be made to wear handcuffs!