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Legend is that you can do anything to the Queen’s Guard and they will not react. How true is that?
According to an off duty guard from the Tower of London, drunk people and tourists trying to make them laugh are the bane of their job.
Scots Guard, one of the regiments of foot guards.
Duty lasts for two hours at a time, and orders are that “you may not eat, sleep, smoke, stand easy, sit or lie down during your tour of duty”. They are functional soldiers after all, and not merely ceremonial.
So how annoying can you be?
If you are being a nuisance, it’s true he will initally ignore you. If you carry on with your shenanigans, he start with “stamping” (coming to attention). If that doesn’t work, he will shout: “Stand back from the guard”.
If you continue to interfere with his duties, he will “port arms” – point his rifle/bayonet at you. If you are one of those people that never get the message, he will detain you or press the button in his sentry box for assistance.
So next time, maybe don’t be a moron, just take a photo.
