The Secrets of the Queen's Guard: Elite, Highly Trained, and Unyielding

TLDRThe Queen's Guard in London is not just a tourist attraction, they are highly trained soldiers with a rich history and strict duties. They stand motionless, have strict height requirements, cannot smile or react, and never abandon their post. The guards have the strongest necks in Britain and even faint while maintaining their position. Messing with them can result in serious consequences.

Key insights

👑The Queen's Guard are an ancient order of England's most trustworthy, dedicated, and highly-trained soldiers sworn to protect the British Monarch at all costs.

🏰The Royal Guard's history dates back to at least 1660, and they have played significant roles in England's military victories.

💂‍♂️To qualify for the Queen's Guard, recruits must meet physical and experiential conditions, including being decorated members of one of the 7 most exclusive regiments of the British army.

😂The guards maintain a strict no-smiling policy while on duty, and attempting to make them laugh can result in imprisonment.

🔒The guards never abandon their post and must hold it for the entirety of their shift, even if it means not taking bathroom breaks.

Q&A

What happens if you touch a Royal Guard?

Any physical touch or violent threat towards a Royal Guard is met with explosive force, and the culprit may end up in the hospital.

Do guards ever move?

Guards are trained to remain motionless, but they might move if physically touched or violently threatened.

Why do the Royal Guards wear bearskin hats?

The bearskin hats are a part of their traditional uniform and represent the royal colors of England.

Is it true that guards faint while on duty?

Yes, guards frequently faint due to the heavy uniforms, sweltering heat, and long periods of standing, but they are trained to remain standing even when unconscious.

What happens if a guard breaks their duty?

Any breach of duty, including bathroom breaks or laughter, is grounds for imprisonment.

Timestamped Summary

00:00The Queen's Guard are highly trained soldiers dedicated to protecting the British Monarch.

03:31The no-smiling policy is strictly enforced, and even attempting to make a guard laugh can result in prison time.

05:44Guards never abandon their post, even for bathroom breaks, and breaking duty is a punishable offense.

07:14The guards' distinctive bearskin hats represent the royal colors of England.

06:51Guards are so tough that they often faint while on duty but are trained to remain standing even when unconscious.