A soldier on a patrol march collided with a child who fell under their feet at the Tower of London. The incident involving a Coldstream Guard, a division with a ceremonial role of providing protection for Royal palaces and known for their no-nonsense approach to tourists, was filmed and has been widely shared. A spokesperson for the army said the public had been warned a patrol was approaching, adding that the soldier checked on the child afterwards and was reassured they were not injured. The footage shows two guards on patrol when a young girl falls under their path and does not move in time as the soldier walks over her without looking back. In the video, a cry can be heard before the collision. An Army spokesperson said: “We are aware of an incident at the Tower of London earlier today during a routine patrol. “The Guardsman on duty warned members of the public that a patrol was approaching, but the child unfortunately ran out in front of the soldier unexpectedly. “The soldier tried to step over the child and continued on his duty. “Following the incident, the soldier checked on the child and was reassured that all was well.” The incident has prompted a mixed reaction, however, with some criticising the soldier’s actions and others arguing that the child was unharmed and should not have been in their way. The Coldstream Guards is the oldest continuously serving regular regiment in the British army. One of its principal roles is the protection of the monarchy so it often participates in state ceremonial occasions. Recruits to the Guards Division go through intensive training devoted to drill and ceremonies. The headline and introduction of this article were amended on 30 December 2021 to describe the incident more accurately.