LONDON — In the days following the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001, Queen Elizabeth II ordered the band of the Coldstream Guards to play “The Star Spangled Banner” to show her support.
According to The Guardian, on Sept 13. 2001, over 3,000 people were gathered outside Buckingham Palace when the band played the U.S. national anthem during the changing of the guard ceremony.
The Changing of the Guard ceremony began in 1660 and is considered one of the most visible public displays of British tradition, according to The New York Times.
Two days after the 9/11 attacks, Queen Elizabeth II ordered a military band to play "The Star-Spangled Banner" during the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace — a break from custom that gave comfort to grieving Americans stranded far from home. https://t.co/ySDwhPHrrE
— The New York Times (@nytimes) September 11, 2022
In 2021, Queen Elizabeth II ordered “The Star Spangled Banner” to be played again on the 20th anniversary of 9/11 at a special Changing of the Guard ceremony at Windsor Castle, according to The Associated Press.
The 96-year-old monarch died Thursday after a 70-year reign, the longest in the history of the United Kingdom.
Sign Up
