A member of the King’s Guard has won praise after going out of his way to make a young man with Down’s syndrome feel comfortable.
A video of Mike van Erp, 50, better known by his YouTube name CyclingMikey, and the youngster posing for a photo at Buckingham Palace has caused a stir after being shared on YouTube, thanks to the touching way the situation was handled by everyone.
Known worldwide for being silent and still, it’s the job of King’s Guards job to stand on duty outside official royal residences, and even when tourists try to distract them, they are expected to remain unmoved.
However, footage shows how a kind-hearted member of the Guard moved closer to Mike and the boy who were trying to get a photo to remember their trip to Horse Guards Parade by.
Taking to Twitter to post about their day out, Mike who is a professional carer explained: ‘I’ve worked for his family and him for a decade now. We were out on a cycle ride on my tandem bicycle and stopped by the Horse Guards Parade.’
The King’s Guard surprised the tourists with a sweet gesture moving nearer to them so they could get their photo
Mike made sure his charge knew that he couldn’t touch or go too close to the soldier and be respectful of his space
He admitted that ‘both I and the young lad’ got a bit of a scare ‘when he stepped closer to us’ because it was so unexpected, adding: ‘This left me with tears in my eyes for a few evenings.’
After Twitter users initially thought that Mike was the boy’s father, he clarified: ‘I’m also not his dad, although I’d be proud to be.’
‘I’m very grateful to the soldier,’ he continued. ‘I’m lucky I had good parents and went to a Jesuit school that cared about me and taught me well, same for the young lad I’m with. Tears in my eyes.’
Over the last few years, the King’s Guard have earned something of a bad reputation on social media because of videos showing how they shout at members of the public if they get too close to them or the horses.
Understandably when Mike and the boy he was looking after wanted to stand near enough to the Guard to have a photo, taken they were extremely careful about encroaching on his personal space.
In the short clip, shared by The Royal King’s Guards England channel on YouTube, a guard was seen standing in the middle at the entrance of an outdoor corridor.
As people walked by many stopped to take a snap of the sentinel but one man and his child decide to walk carefully up to have a photo taken next to him.
Gently trying to keep the boy from touching the Guard or getting too close, Mike could be heard reminding him to keep his distance.
Standing a good foot or so away, the pair posed for the photo but were surprised when the guard stepped closer to them so they could get the perfect picture.
Visibly taken aback, the little boy jumped a little when the King’s Guard moved next to them both.
After making sure to thank the soldier, as they walk away Mike was heard saying: ‘What a nice man, what a cool thing to do.’
The sweet and respectful moment delighted viewers who rushed to share their thoughts and comments on the scene.
One person wrote: ‘Lovely gesture of kindness. All the guards do an exceptional job with so many tourists.’
Another social media user added: ‘Total respect to this Guard especially as this young lad was nervous and total respect to the lads guardian for saying thank you wish more tourists were like him’
‘This Guard never fails to melt my heart. That act of kindness brought a lump to my throat. What a sweetheart he is. Your kindness will come back to you young man. God Bless you,’ penned someone else.
And a fourth person wrote: ‘Much respect for this King’s Guard! He was aware of the situation, and acted with honor.’
The lad was delighted to be so close to the uniformed soldier and stuck his thumbs up as he posed for the photo
Viewers who watched the clip were delighted to see such a sweet and respectful exchange take place and rushed to compliment all involved
While this young lad and Mike treated the King’s Guard with respect, not every tourist is the same.
Earlier this year footage showed the shocking moment a woman lashed out at a King’s Guard for ‘pushing’ her out of the way as he carried out his duties.
The incident, which went viral on TikTok, shows the blonde woman standing in the guard’s way at the Horse Guards Parade.
The woman, who was holding a blue can of Pringles, was seen standing very close to one of the mounted guards, while other bystanders gave the guards more room by standing further away.
Despite the King’s Guard on foot asking the woman to step back when he first passed her to salute his fellow guards, she stepped even closer to the agitated horse of the mounted guard.
When the guard that had previously warned her walked back towards the gates, the woman moved right into his path.
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