Queen's Guard knock over child in shocking TikTok—here's what they do, and why they don't stop

Footage of a child getting knocked down and stepped on by the Queen’s guard while on duty has divided users online. Some have claimed that it was excessive while many have argued that the guard was simply doing his duty.

• A TikTok video has caught a child getting knocked over after getting in the way of the Queen’s guard on duty at the Tower of London
• A Tower of London spokesperson later confirmed that the guards checked on the child and family afterwards
• In other royal news, the Duke of Kent is publishing a book offering a ‘behind the scenes’ insight into the ‘world’s most celebrated family’

Footage of a child being knocked over by the Queen’s Guard has been met with mixed reactions, with some suggesting the child or their parents should’ve kept them out of the way while others thought the actions were unnecessary.

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Comments from people online include some arguing “it’s not…Disneyland, they’re not there for your pleasure” and “this is the protocol they must follow and are trained not to deviate.”

Others have pointed out that it was just “a ceremonial march that means nothing” so the guard could’ve shown more restraint.

After the footage caused a stir, in a statement, a Tower of London spokesperson said, "We are aware of this incident and were sorry to see this. The Guard at the Tower do take care to warn the public when they’re moving, and this was an unfortunate accident. Our staff and the soldier checked in on the family afterwards and were reassured that all was well."

But how come the guard couldn’t stop when the child was in the way? Here’s what the Queen’s Guard does, and the strict rules they must follow…

Who are the Queen’s Guard?

The Queen's Guard is a company of sentries—fully operational soldiers—who guard the royal residences in the UK, including Buckingham Palace, Clarence House, St James's Palace, the Tower of London and Windsor Castle.

What is the role of the Queen’s Guard?

Their main purpose is to protect and defend the Sovereign, however, they also carry out many ceremonial duties, such as Trooping the Colour, the Queen’s birthday parade.

The guards are on duty for 24 or 48 hours. During that time, a guard will have two hours on sentry duty and then four hours off.

A sentry will come to attention every 10 minutes, slope arms (hold their rifle at a slope) and march across their post, normally about 20 paces in total. Having repeated this four or five times, the guard halts, shoulders arms (brings the rifle on the left or right sides by the shoulder) and returns to standing at ease (a more relaxed position).

What rules must the Queen’s Guard follow?

In the orders read to them at the beginning of their tour of duty, a sentry is told, "You may not eat, sleep, smoke, stand easy, sit or lie down during your tour of duty".

On the official website, a notice reads, “Please don't stand in the way of the Guards as they will not stop or march around people who are impeding their progress. The usual warning they shout out if someone is in the way is 'Make way for the Queen's Guard.'”