King Charles’ guards marked the 25th anniversary of 9/11 with a moving musical tribute. The British Army’s Band of the Coldstream Guards honored American victims during a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
The commemorative Guard Change brought British and American traditions together outside the palace. Members of the royal family, U.S. officials and invited guests gathered for the solemn performance.
King Charles’ guards honor 9/11 victims on the attack’s 25th anniversary
Coldstream Guards performed several pieces during Friday’s ceremony. Their program included John Philip Sousa’s “The Thunderer” and “The Stars and Stripes Forever.” The palace performance also featured both national anthems. The musicians then played “Hymn to the Fallen” from Saving Private Ryan and “Amazing Grace.”
Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester, and Birgitte, the Duchess of Gloucester, represented King Charles. They took the salute alongside U.S. Ambassador Warren Stephens on the palace forecourt.
As per PEOPLE, around 40 invited guests attended the ceremony, including British and American nationals. The tribute carried particular weight because Britain had lost 67 citizens during the attacks. The gesture also echoed a historic royal tribute from 2001. Queen Elizabeth requested the U.S. national anthem during the Guard Change on September 13.
That performance came just two days after al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four planes. Two aircraft struck New York’s World Trade Center, while another hit the Pentagon. A fourth plane crashed into a Pennsylvania field after passengers attempted to regain control. The attacks killed 2,977 people and remained the deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil.
Thousands of people exposed to the disaster later faced serious and lasting health problems. The anniversary therefore carried significance far beyond the ceremony’s pageantry.
King Charles and Queen Camilla had already paid tribute during their April visit to New York. They laid white flowers beside the south reflecting pool at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. The couple also met victims’ families, first responders and serving personnel. Their visit marked their first appearance at the memorial, which opened in 2011.
A handwritten card accompanied their flowers. It read, “We honour the memory of all those who so tragically lost their lives on 11th September 2001.” The message also expressed “enduring solidarity with the American people.” Charles and Camilla signed the note “Charles R,” and “Camilla R.”
