King Charles’ bodyguards have sparked a buzz on social media, with many speculating that they might be wearing ‘fake hands’.
Over the years, rumours have swirled about bodyguards using fake hands and arms to discreetly conceal weapons like an FN-P90 rifle under their coats, ready for action if needed.
Now, a TikTok has gone viral of King Charles on a visit to Cornwall with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.
King Charles led Sir Keir Starmer on a tour of his eco-friendly, sustainable housing project, but it wasn’t the duo that grabbed viewers’ attention in the video.
It was the king’s bodyguard and his unusual hand position, that got people talking. The bodyguard held his hands in-front of his body in a very still position, which prompted people to believe that his hands weren’t real.
…
However, previously a security expert of 30 years debunked myth of the use of fake arms in security.
Will Geddes, one of the world’s leading specialists in counterterrorism, kidnapping, direct action groups, personal security, and close protection services, explained why the decoy arms are not used for the Royal Family.
Speaking to the Metro, Will revealed that while this tactic might be used in the US, it wouldn’t be employed by guards in the UK.
He said: "They definitely aren’t fake hands; I can understand why some people might have thought they were because of what looks like an incredibly tight grip but they definitely aren’t.
“It isn’t a tactic that is used at all in the UK, there might be all sorts of other tricks and stunts that security officers use to make sure high-profile individuals are kept safe, but this wouldn’t be one of them.”
He explained that while close protection officers in the US tend to be more quick to react, making such a theory believable there, the risk level in the UK makes it highly unlikely.
With the size of Charlie’s fingers, I don’t think he’s worried about threats above the waist tbh. He could block a fucking lorry with one of his porky digits. He may very well have hired double amputee bodyguards - it’s like a Daredevil situation; when they don’t use their arms, their legs become double strong. He’s impervious to landmines or beartraps with them around. Tiny assassins are right out.
He’s impervious to landmines or beartraps with them around. Tiny assassins are right out.
As are ball biters.
It’s gonna be so sad, seeing lines of ex-royal ball biters queueing round the block from the job centre now that they’re obsolete.
Oh well if Will Geddes says “there might be all sorts of tricks and stunts … but this wouldn’t be one of them” then I guess that’s the truth sorted out.
Apparently he’s on gbeebies quite a lot, which is quite telling
I’ve had some bodyguard training. Keeping your hands up in front of you like this instead of leaving them at your sides gives you a quicker reaction time. This can make all the difference for successfully blocking things like a punch or something thrown at your VIP.
Same reason cops will keep their hands on their vest collar like this:
It looks like a sort of natural “my vest is stopping me from crossing my arms, so I’m doing this instead” resting position. But it’s really so their hands are near their head, in case you throw a punch and they need to block.
It’s also thought to be a less threatening pose compared to having their hands near their waists and thus their weapons.
The collar of some types of body armor also reaches very high up against the neck for better coverage and protection. But it can feel uncomfortable if the rigid or semi rigid edge constantly presses against the front of the base of your neck so it feels more comfortable to pull down in the collar like that whenever you can. Especially when there are ballistic plates in it.
That’s just a power move.
Its a polite way of holding your hands in readiness and doesn’t look as aggressive as a boxer’s stance. They can dart an arm out to deflect anyone getting too close and lunge between the person they are protecting and an assailant. Such is the life of a human stab vest.
I met Salman Rushdie’s security team once and the guy staying the closest was built like a barn door, which is hand for a job that involved being a bullet blocker. I reckon if those lads had been looking after him a few years ago he wouldn’t have got some badly injured.
