Drama as guard FAINTS off the podium while holding vigil beside Queen’s coffin in Westminster Hall 

A guard has fainted off the podium while holding vigil next to the Queen‘s Coffin as she lies in state inside the Palace of Westminster.

Hundreds of thousands of mourners have been queuing to pay their final respects to the monarch following her death at Balmoral on Thursday.

But onlookers were aghast when a guard began swaying on his feet moments before he collapsed.

The man had moments earlier briefly stepped off the podium before retaking his place as other servicemen joined him for a changeover.

But seconds later he blacked out and fell forwards, landing sprawled on the stone floor to loud gasps from bystanders queueing to pay their respects.

The live stream also cut out for several minutes as police rushed to the man’s aid.

It comes after crowds lined the streets of central London as she was moved from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall on Wednesday afternoon.

A short service was held involving the Royal Family, before members of the public were given access to pay their respects from 5pm.

Thousands of well-wishers have passed through the historic hall throughout the evening and into the early hours of this morning.