A member of France’s honor guard fainted on the steps of the Élysée Palace as Slovak President Peter Pellegrini arrived for a welcome ceremony in Paris on Nov. 11. (Foto: Instagram)
A member of France’s honor guard fainted Wednesday, Nov. 11, during a ceremony in Paris welcoming Slovak President Peter Pellegrini. The incident occurred as Pellegrini arrived at the Élysée Palace, the official residence of the French president, where Emmanuel Macron was waiting to receive him.
The guard was standing on the palace steps with a sword when he fell as Pellegrini’s car arrived. Video recorded the moment.
Macron and others attending the ceremony moved toward the guard to try to help. Security personnel then carried him away from the steps. Pellegrini waited at the bottom of the staircase while the guard was removed.
Afterward, Macron greeted Pellegrini and the reception continued. Slovak broadcaster TV JOJ, which recorded the scene, reported that no information was available as of the latest update about the guard’s condition or what caused him to faint.
