Buckingham Palace Guard Change Cancelled Due To Extreme Heat – UK Household Division

MOSCOW, June 24 (Bernama-Sputnik/RIA Novosti) -- The United Kingdom (UK) Household Division on Tuesday cancelled ceremonial guard changes in Windsor and London, including at Buckingham Palace, due to an extreme heatwave, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti.

On Monday, the UK’s Met Office issued a red weather warning for the UK and Wales due to the heat as exceptionally high temperatures are expected to break the June heat record this week.

Temperatures are forecast to reach 39 degrees Celsius on Wednesday and Thursday, with some areas potentially experiencing even higher readings.

“Due to forecasted excessive temperatures this week, including a RED heat alert mid-week, there will be some important changes to Ceremonial Operations across London and Windsor.

“The wellbeing of our soldiers, military working horses, and the public who gather in large numbers to watch these events is always our priority. There will be no ceremonial Guard Changes in Windsor or London on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday,” the Household Division said in a statement.

The Royal Horse Guards’ changing ceremony scheduled for Wednesday will take place earlier in the morning without the usual ceremonial elements, the UK army said, adding that soldiers will also be stationed in shaded areas and rotated more frequently.

The heatwave has also forced the closure of hundreds of schools across southern UK, local authorities said.

Approximately 100 schools in Somerset will remain closed during the period of extreme heat, the Somerset county council said.

A similar number of schools have closed in Buckinghamshire, while more than 80 schools suspended classes in Gloucestershire, local authorities added.

These counties are located within the area covered by the red weather warning, along with London, where nearly 10 major schools have also cancelled in-person lessons.

-- BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI