Shocking Scene at the Élysée Palace: Soldiers Repeatedly Collapse in Front of Macron and Pellegrini

Two French soldiers fell to the ground within a short interval during the welcoming ceremony for Slovak President Peter Pellegrini at the Élysée Palace in Paris on Wednesday, November 11. President Emmanuel Macron and palace staff moved to assist one of them before the ceremony and official meeting continued despite the two incidents.

First soldier loses balance in front of Macron

Footage recorded by Slovak television "TV JOJ" showed a ceremonial guard suddenly losing his balance, lowering the sword he was holding, and falling backward in view of Macron and officials participating in the reception.

Upon noticing his fall, Macron and several Élysée Palace staff rushed toward him to provide assistance, after which the soldier was moved away from the ceremony area following staff intervention.

Second collapse shortly after

French media reported that a second soldier suffered the same ailment and collapsed shortly after the first incident. Cameras did not capture the moment of his fall, but the sound of his sword hitting the ground was heard in the recording, and Macron appeared reacting to the new event.