A UK cop scolded a group of American tourists after they were caught harassing a King’s Guard outside of Buckingham Palace in a now-viral video.
Footage posted to social media shows a group of young girls heckling the guard, loudly shouting several different names as they try to guess the guard’s name correctly.
“Henry…Sherlock, Sherlock Holmes,” a few of them can be heard in the TikTok clip posted Monday, with one man also chiming in on their shenanigans.
“Toby, Montgomery,” the man yells.
Two police officers spotting the commotion appear from the side, with one cop walking up to the guard being taunted by the group of tourists.
The tourists cheered and jumped up and down when the cop approached and got the guard to speak — but then they learned a harsh lesson.
“These soldiers serve their country. They take their job seriously,” the cop said to the tourists. “They are responsible for protecting this facility, they are not an object of ridicule.”
“Appreciate you are having fun, he’s not having fun. He’s got a long day, it’s a lot of hours he’s got to do. It is tiring, it is exhausting, and you are taking the piss out of him. We do not appreciate that and I will ask you to leave the facility,” the cop added.
The role of a King’s Guard is to protect the royal residence and keep a lookout for any possible threat or danger. Guards are normally prohibited from directly interacting with or responding to tourists, according to the tourism site Londontopia.com.
Right after the cop directs the tourists to leave the premises, the group carries out the order and collectively go on their way.
Viewers of the video applauded the officer for his prompt notice of the guard’s mistreatment while bashing the tourists for their behavior.
“English police are very patient & reasonable compared to a lot of countries. Respect,” one comment read.
“Officer handled this like a champ,” a person replied.
American commenters also ripped the young tourists, even apologizing on their behalf.
“As an American, I am literally appalled by their behavior. My sincerest apologies for their lack of respect,” one reply read.
“I want to apologize for their behavior. Please forgive their arrogance and foolishness. Most American tourists respect the royal guard and their service,” another pleaded.
“They think they’re at Disney land and he’s dressed as a character to laugh and perform for them,” someone joked.
Guards are known to take matters into their own hands. Many videos across social media have shown them screaming at tourists for taking their interactions too far.
Last April, a King’s Guard at Buckingham Palace scared off a tourist and screamed in her face after she tried to get a picture with him.
“Do not touch the King’s Life Guard!” the soldier yelled — startling the woman as she clutched her chest in fear while backing away.
