King’s Guards speak to young fan in costume at the Tower of London

Frank Gates, from Egremont, is ‘obsessed’ with King’s Guards and his family now regularly take him to London so he can see them in action.

The five-year-old has built up a huge following on social media for his videos which show him dressed in various military outfits.

During his most recent visit to the capital, Frank was thrilled when two guards at the Tower of London marched over and saluted him before engaging in conversation.

Frank Gates is now a regular visitor to London (Image: Facebook)

The heartwarming video has been viewed over five million times on TikTok.

Frank’s dad, John Gates, who owns Jubilee Garage in Egremont, said: “Even before he was two, he loved dressing up but nothing more than being a King’s Guard.

“We went on holiday to London and the first time he saw them marching past, that was it.

“He’s breaking the bank but we’re going as often as I can afford. He’s just in a different world when he’s there. It’s got to the point where all the guards know him.

“When we see them off-duty they come over and call him by name. It’s a bit surreal. There are an awful lot of people in London who come over and say they feel like they know him because they’ve seen him on TikTok.”

Frank dreams of becoming a King's Guard (Image: Facebook)

Mr Gates said his son ‘desperately’ wants to be part of the Coldstream Guards - the oldest serving regiment in the British Army, with one of its principal roles to protect the monarchy.

He said: “Frank loves all the guards but when he sees that red bloom and realises it’s Coldstream, he just shouts. He’s like a football fan – that’s his thing. He absolutely loves it.

“He wants to be a Colour Sergeant in the Coldstream Guards. He’s said that since he was three.”

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Mr Gates said his son takes the role ‘very seriously’ but is also delighted when the guards interact with him.

He said: “He remains very serious because he says he’s on duty. On Remembrance Sunday he wouldn’t even talk to his mam.

“But once they have marched away, he says, ‘did you see that, dad?’ He’s over the moon.

“He gets so much out of it. Yes, I could buy a new car but I would rather spend it on taking him down there. The joy in his face is unbelievable. They are so good with him.”