• Temperatures in the UK are expected to reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit on Tuesday. 
  • Amid the heatwave, the Queen's Guard has been seen carrying out duties in their traditional uniform.
  • The UK Met Office issued a "red warning for exceptional heat" for the first time ever.

Members of the Queen's Guard were attempting to go about business as usual as temperatures in the UK skyrocketed to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit on Monday and Tuesday.

The guardsmen, who are soldiers in the royal household division, have carried out public and ceremonial duties since the 17th century, according to the official website. Part of the role involves wearing the famous blood-red uniforms and lofty bearskin hats while patrolling royal residences such as Buckingham Palace and St. James Palace in London, and taking part in the Changing of the Guard ceremony.

But carrying out these duties while remaining stoic as the UK Met Office issued its first-ever "red warning for exceptional heat," on Monday and Tuesday is no easy feat, especially given the warnings of "population-wide adverse health effects" that could lead to a "danger to life."

A photo of a guard wearing the traditional uniform and jet-black hat taken during the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday showed him visibly sweating as temperatures reached 102 degrees Fahrenheit, as per the Met Office. 

A member of the Queen's Guard receives water to drink during the hot weather, outside Buckingham Palace. Foto: REUTERS/John Sibley

And on Monday, a guard at Buckingham Palace was pictured breaking from the stereotypical stoic appearance by drinking water poured into his mouth by a police officer.

The guard, who wore the traditional long-sleeved garb and woolly black hat, clutched onto his service weapon during the encounter. 

Elsewhere at Buckingham Palace on Monday, soldiers brought a cup of water to a fellow guardsman standing on sentry duty.

A Guardsman is brought water as he stands sentry outside Buckingham Palace. Foto: Carl Court/Getty Images

According to the Changing of the Guard website, sentry duty lasts for two hours before a guardsman is given four hours off.

However, the website adds that being on duty at Buckingham Palace and St. James Palace means guardsmen work as many as 24 or 48 hours in a shift. 

It's unclear whether adjustments will be made in light of extreme temperatures in the UK on Tuesday.

Buckingham Palace and the British Army did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

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