Buckingham Palace Marks 25th Anniversary of 9/11 with Extraordinary Commemorative Guard Change
Buckingham Palace marked the solemn 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks with an extraordinary commemorative Changing of the Guard ceremony on its historic red gravel forecourt. Replacing the outgoing Irish Guards, the Band of the Coldstream Guards marched down the Mall from St James’s Palace in their iconic scarlet tunics and towering bearskin caps, playing renowned American marches “The Thunderer” and “The Stars and Stripes Forever.” The forecourt ceremony featured stirring performances of both the British and American national anthems, creating an exceptionally moving demonstration of trans-Atlantic solidarity beneath the bright morning sun.
Representing King Charles at the service, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester took the formal Royal Salute beneath the palace’s grand centre arch. The royal couple was accompanied by United States Ambassador Warren Stephens, his wife Harriet, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, Security Minister Dan Jarvis, and approximately 40 invited British and American citizens. Earlier that morning, Ambassador Stephens and his wife laid a memorial wreath at Grosvenor Square’s 9/11 Memorial Garden, paying solemn tribute to the 67 British nationals who were among the thousands killed 25 years ago in a tragedy that reshaped modern history.
The emotional resonance of the service reached its height as the massed bands delivered poignant renditions of “Hymn to the Fallen” from Saving Private Ryan and the beloved hymn “Amazing Grace.” As the brass instruments resonated across the forecourt, thousands of spectators gathered along the palace gates spontaneously joined in singing the hymn’s timeless verses in unison. When the final notes concluded, the vast crowd erupted into enthusiastic cheers and applause as the royal delegation stepped inside, while invited guests remained to witness the remaining 40 minutes of military precision drill.
Friday’s musical ceremony thoughtfully echoed the historic decision made by Queen Elizabeth II on September 13, 2001, when she broke centuries-old protocol by commanding the guards to play the US national anthem just two days after the attacks. That unprecedented gesture—playing a foreign anthem outside of an official state leader’s visit—firmly established a tradition of shared grief that was reinforced earlier this year when King Charles and Queen Camilla visited the 9/11 Memorial in New York. By joining ceremonial precision with heartfelt public remembrance, the event demonstrated the enduring alliance and shared values linking the two nations a quarter-century after the tragedy.