When the queen's away, the guards will play!
At least, that's what appears to be the case for this dancing-on-duty soldier outside Buckingham Palace! On Aug. 20, YouTube user Andy Richards uploaded a video of the Queen's Guard member pirouetting, walking in slow motion and behaving very atypically for someone holding this position.
Bystanders were delighted to see the uniformed guard cutting loose a bit as he covered his assigned area during a portion of his two-hour shift. Per Metro U.K., the guard is informed prior to each shift, "You may not eat, sleep, smoke, stand easy, sit or lie down during your tour of duty." (Dancing isn't explicitly listed among these forbidden activities...)
Queen Elizabeth II was reportedly on holiday in Scotland during the time this video was shot, but that doesn't mean the guardsmen are allowed to slack off! A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense confirmed to the Daily Mail Tuesday that they "were aware of the film and have launched an internal investigation."
"Anyone who is found to fall short of the Army's high standards can expect to face appropriate action," said the Army spokesperson, E! News can confirm.
And while one "military source" is quoted as saying the dancing solider "is there to guard Buckingham Palace, not provide horseplay for tourists," many YouTube commenters thanked the soldier for making their day a little brighter.
"He is still doing his job," noted one commenter, "but [he's] showing his human side too."