A viral TikTok clip captures a heartwarming moment between a young girl and a horse from the King’s Guard outside St James’ Palace. In the video, the girl, accompanied by her mother, approaches the guard and places a small amount of cash in his boot as a gesture of kindness. In response, the horse gently presses its muzzle on her head, eliciting joy from the girl and delighting viewers online.
Commenters praised the girl’s respectful approach, noting that she demonstrated more courtesy than many adults. While the Palace staff discourage such interactions for safety reasons, tourists often leave donations in the guards’ boots, which are collected for military charities. The clip highlights the bond between the girl and the horse, with many joking that the horse was thanking her for her thoughtful gesture.
This incident follows other recent moments where King’s Guards have broken protocol to engage with children, showcasing a softer side to their traditionally stoic roles. These interactions, including a guard saluting a blind boy and posing for a photo with a young man with Down’s syndrome, have garnered positive reactions and emphasize the importance of kindness and respect in these encounters.
