Touch the Queen’s Guard at your Peril

Original post from National Post

‘…………….By Ashley Csanady

Why you really shouldn’t touch a Queen’s Guard on your summer vacation: He’ll pull a gun on you

The Queen’s Guard outside of Royal palaces in the United Kingdom are famous for their stoicism in the face of tourists’ taunts, but even they have their limits.

Members of the 1st Battalion and No. 7 Company the Coldstream Guards march past the Queen after being presented with their new colours by Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle. Andrew Winning-WPA Pool/Getty Images

One visitor to Windsor Castle put one hand over that line — and saw the other end of a rifle in return.

The tourist can be seen in a YouTube video hamming it up alongside the red-coated guard in his tall black hat as he marches along the palace. It’s a typical tourist video of some idiot trying to make the guards break into a smile or mess up their routine. But then the man touches the guard’s soldier and he bellows, “Get back from the Queen’s Guard!” and he levels the rifle-style bayonet in the visitor’s face.

The tourist can be seen scampering away as his friends burst out in laughter.

The guard, upper lip stiff as ever, keeps calm and carries on his march.

Windsor Castle was initially built by William the Conqueror, Queen Elizabeth I is buried there, and it’s the longest-held royal palace in Europe. EPA / Andy Rain

The ministry of defence backed the guard up, saying members of the public should show respect, the Daily Mail reports.

The Queen’s Guard were installed after the Restoration and Charles II ascent to the throne in 1660.

Though their presence is a historic symbol, they do have real powers. They can detain troublesome tourists, and raising their gun is said to be a “final warning.”  ……..’