King Charles has ordered the suspension of the iconic Changing of the Guard ceremonies at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, and other royal sites this week as Britain braces for potentially dangerous heat.
The cancellations Wednesday and Thursday affecting the popular tourist spectacle that sees soldiers in their distinctive bearskin hats and red tunics swap duties at multiple locations.
The decision comes as the Met Office activated only its second-ever red weather warning for extreme heat, with temperatures across parts of England and Wales forecast to approach 40C.
The alert took effect on Wednesday, prompting authorities to recommend limiting travel and outdoor activities.
The Household Division, responsible for organising the ceremonial events, cited the welfare of personnel and animals as paramount.
In their statement, they noted: "The well-being of our soldiers, military working horses, and the public who gather in large numbers to watch these events is always our priority."
The division confirmed it was acting "in line with advice from the Met Office and other Government agencies, who are recommending a reduction in travel and outdoor activities."
To protect horses from heat stress, the King's Life Guard at Horse Guards will conduct an unceremonial changeover at 8am.
Meanwhile, other soldiers have been repositioned to shaded areas and will rotate more frequently than normal.
Temperatures could climb close to 40C during the current heatwave, approaching the UK's all-time record of 40.3C set in July 2022.
The current conditions also threaten to surpass the previous June benchmark of 35.6C, recorded in Hampshire during the notorious 1976 heatwave.
That summer saw an extraordinary stretch of 15 consecutive days where the mercury exceeded 32C.
The red warning represents an exceptional measure, having been issued only once before in the country's history. Government agencies have urged the public to minimise outdoor activities and non-essential travel during the most intense period of heat.
Despite the sweltering conditions, King Charles maintained a busy schedule on Wednesday with three separate engagements.
He welcomed the Afghan Women's Refugee Cricket Team to Clarence House, participated in London Climate Week, and attended a session with the REORG charity at the Roger Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy.
The guard ceremony boasts a heritage stretching back to 1656, when soldiers first began protecting monarchs and their palaces.
Originally conducted at the Palace of Whitehall, the tradition relocated to St James's Palace in 1689 before expanding to Buckingham Palace following Queen Victoria's arrival there in 1837.
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