Dismay as visitors fail to respect tradition at London’s royal palaces

An incident in London has sparked outrage as a group of American tourists were caught on camera mocking a stoic member of the Royal Guard, leading to police intervention. The viral TikTok footage, which has amassed over 100,000 likes, shows the tourists giggling and attempting to coax a reaction from the guard, who remained resolute in his duty.

The King’s Guards, a symbol of British tradition and discipline, are typically drawn from one of the five regiments of foot guards, including the Irish Guards, Welsh Guards, Scots Guards, Coldstream Guards, and Grenadier Guards. Occasionally, the Royal Air Force Regiment assumes this role for a few weeks each year. Stationed at iconic locations such as Buckingham Palace and St James’s Palace, these guards adhere to strict protocols, which tourists often overlook, leading to repeated issues.

In the contentious video, the group of women can be heard laughing and shouting names at the soldier, attempting to elicit a smile. Despite their persistent heckling, the guard maintained his professionalism, not yielding to their provocations. The situation escalated when the tourists, seemingly amused by the guard’s lip-licking, let out a scream, prompting a police officer to intervene.

The officer firmly addressed the group, stating, “These soldiers serve their country. They take their job seriously. They are responsible for protecting this facility; they are not an object of ridicule.” He highlighted the guard’s dedication and the disrespectful nature of the tourists’ actions, ultimately asking them to leave the premises.

The incident has drawn widespread criticism online, with many praising the officer’s handling of the situation. Social media users questioned whether such behaviour would be tolerated at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, emphasizing the need for respect towards military personnel. Kallum, who captured and shared the video, expressed his disappointment, noting the lack of respect shown by the tourists to individuals serving in the British Army.

This episode serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting cultural and military traditions while visiting foreign countries, especially at sites of national significance.