Two members of France’s elite Republican Guard collapsed almost simultaneously during an official welcoming ceremony hosted by President Emmanuel Macron for Slovak President Peter Pellegrini at the Élysée Palace in Paris.
The incident occurred on November 11, 2026, as Pellegrini arrived for an official visit to France.
The Republican Guards, dressed in full ceremonial uniforms and carrying sabres, had formed an honour guard to welcome the Slovak leader, in keeping with France’s protocol for visiting heads of state.
Television footage showed one of the guards swaying before losing his balance and falling against a pillar. His ceremonial sword also clattered to the ground.
Macron and several aides immediately rushed towards the fallen officer to assist him, according to images captured by an AFP photographer.
French newspaper Le Parisien reported that a second guard also collapsed around the same time, although the incident was not captured on camera.
A French presidential source, speaking anonymously to AFP, confirmed that both guards had suffered fainting attacks.
“Both of them were swiftly taken care of, and everything is fine,” the source said.
However, the French presidency later clarified that both officers had suffered vasovagal syncope, a condition that causes a temporary loss of consciousness due to a sudden drop in blood pressure and heart rate.
The authorities said the guards sustained no injuries and were doing well.
The Republican Guard is part of France’s national gendarmerie and is responsible for ceremonial duties, including honour guards for visiting foreign leaders.
Such duties often require officers to remain standing for extended periods in heavy ceremonial uniforms while holding their swords upright.
