A ROYAL footman was knocked unconscious and rushed to hospital after being struck in the head by a falling glass panel at Buckingham Palace.

Louis Williams, 22, was “in a bad way,” according to his friends. and fortunate to have survived.

Last month, he was on duty when he was struck by the pane while walking along a covered walkway.

The footman was discovered unconscious with cuts and bruises and was taken to the hospital by ambulance.

“Fortunately, the Queen was not present,” a source said. What if the glass had shattered her? It’s not worth thinking about.”

Buckingham Palace is undergoing a ten-year, £369 million renovation until 2027, prompting speculation that the 95-year-old monarch will never return.

“Louis was very lucky to only have suffered cuts and bruises — but he has scars and head injuries,” a source said. Everyone says he is extremely fortunate to be alive.

“They spent years and millions of pounds renovating the palace, but parts of it are still falling down.”

Mr Williams has been a senior footman at the palace for three and a half years.

His family in East London declined to comment.

But a pal said: “It’s been terrible. I can’t believe how the glass fell on him. He was in a bad way.”