Sweltering soldiers: Changing of the Guard ceremonies cancelled due to extreme heat

As the UK battles through its fifth widespread heatwave of the year, ceremonial guard changes have been cancelled in London and Windsor. 

Amber heat health alerts issued by the UK Health Security Agency remain in place across all of England until 21:00, after London reached a blistering 38.1°C on Thursday. 

Changes to the formalities ensure soldiers, working horses and public are safe, in line with recommendations from government agencies to reduce travel and outdoor activity. 

• The bearskin: Everything you need to know about the iconic ceremonial headwear
• Military tips on staying cool in a heatwave
• Heatwave: How the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment is keeping its horses cool

Hold your horses

Whilst you may still get a glimpse of the scarlet soldiers on guard this week, the traditional shift changes are happening without pomp and pageantry. 

Other changes in place this week include the King's Guard soldiers changing more frequently and standing in shaded positions as well as an earlier slot for horse exercise when temperatures are cooler.

The Army in London announced the changes in a post on Facebook, saying: "Due to continued excessive temperatures this week, including an amber heat alert, you may have noticed some important changes to Ceremonial Operations across London and Windsor.

It added that the "wellbeing of our soldiers, military working horses, and the public who gather in large numbers to watch these events is always our priority".

In line with advice from the Met Office and other Government agencies, who are recommending a reduction in travel and outdoor activities, the post said, there will be no ceremonial Guard Changes in Windsor or London, and on Friday the King's Life Guard at Horse Guards will change without ceremony and horse exercise will take place very early when the temperatures are cooler. 

Sun hats or bearskin caps? 

Government advice to keep cool and stay well during hot weather includes wearing "loose, light-coloured clothing made from breathable natural fabrics" – an 18in tall, one-and-a-half-pound bearskin doesn’t seem to fit into this category. 

And the cancellations follow growing concerns about the practicalities of traditional military garb in an increasingly hot world.

There was criticism in 2023 after three members of the Bands of Household Division fainted during a frenetic Trooping the Colour rehearsal in temperatures of 30°C. 

A video of a collapsed trombonist attempting to continue playing whilst curved over on the ground gained huge traction online. And whilst Prince William publicly thanked the soldiers for their hard work on social media, others questioned if the moment marked a breaking point for the uniform’s modern capabilities.