Two members of France’s elite Republican Guard collapsed almost simultaneously during a ceremonial welcome for Slovak President Peter Pellegrini at the Elysee Palace in Paris.
The incident occurred late Wednesday as French President Emmanuel Macron received his Slovak counterpart during an official visit.
Television footage showed one of the guards swaying before falling against a pillar at the presidential palace, causing his ceremonial sword to clatter to the ground.
Macron and several aides immediately rushed towards the fallen guard, while another member of the ceremonial unit reportedly collapsed off camera.
According to French newspaper, Le Parisien, Macron appeared concerned before proceeding to welcome Pellegrini.
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A French presidential source, who requested anonymity, told the Agence France-Presse (AFP) that both guards had suffered fainting attacks.
“Both of them were swiftly taken care of and everything is fine,” the source said, adding that no further comment would be made.
The Republican Guard, a unit of the French Gendarmerie, is responsible for ceremonial duties and honour guards during official state functions.
Its duties often require members to stand for extended periods in heavy ceremonial uniforms while holding their swords vertically during formal receptions.
