People are shocked after discovering how much the King's Guard are paid
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People are shocked after discovering exactly how much the King's Guard are paid.
The King's Guard, once the Queen’s Guard, have long since been somewhat of a novel fascination for tourists all across the globe, who flock to Buckingham Palace to get up close and personal with the expressionless - and often stern -workers.
However, what many people don't know is just how much the workforce pocket as an annual salary.
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Luckily, one chap has come to the rescue to explain the whole thing.
The man, who goes by the handle @howmuchthough, took to TikTok to share with his 196k followers exactly what the King's Guard make.
He began by outlining that the King's Guard are 'primarily taken from five regiments' which include; the Grenadier, Coldstreams, Scot, Irish and Welsh guards.
But how do you actually get in?
"Well," the TikToker continues, "you have to be older than 16 and younger than 35 and a half years old and be physically fit."
There are also apparently 'no stated education requirements'.
There is, however, specific training that anyone looking to become King's Guard must undertake starting off with '28 weeks' spent at the Infantry Training Centre Catterick (ITC Catterick) which trains all the Army's Infanteers.
Here, trainees learn 'the basics in weapon handling, life firing, survival, first aid, map reading and building your fitness and stamina'.
"It will also focus far more heavily on drill training due to the prevalence in the job," the TikToker goes on.
After this, trainees join their battalion such as the Grenadier, Coldstream guards and so on.
"You'll move to the Wellington barracks located 300 yards away from Buckingham Palace," he carries on. "Not bad lodgings considering it's right slap bang in the centre of London."
It is here where trainees spend six to 18 months 'predominantly focusing on ceremonial duties'.
So, after all that training, what do the successful King's Guards actually take home per year?
The TikToker goes on: "Well, starting off you'll be earning £18,687.
"That swiftly changes after being promoted to Guardsman - the equivalent of private - increasing your salary to £23,496 after 26 weeks of service.
"Once promoted to Lance Corporal, you'll be earning £34,497 a year."
Next up on the corporate ladder would 'ordinarily be Corporal' however, in the Guards, it is actually Lance Sergeant starting off at £36,728 a year.
The TikToker finished up: "Next promotion is Sergeant who starts on £41,374 a year followed by Colour Sergeants who start on £46,815 a year."
And the kicker?
"If you don't make it to the rank of Lance Sergeant within 12 years you'll be booted from the guards," the TikToker concludes.
The informative video has since gone viral after clocking up more than 1.3 million views in just five days since it was first posted to the platform with hundreds upon hundreds of comments from people eager to share their reactions.
One TikTok user declared: "Bro that’s so little."
"Wow I earn more just sitting behind a desk," revealed a second shocked viewer.
A final TikTok user echoed: "I expected like 100k a year or something bro."
Featured Image Credit: Dan Kitwood/Mike Kemp/In Pictures via Getty Images
Topics: Money, Royal Family, TikTok, UK News, King Charles III
