Yesterday truly marked the end of an era, as Queen Elizabeth II, the oldest and longest-serving monarch in UK history, died at the age of 96. For most people in the UK, it was a day of mourning and sadness. Elizabeth II was on the throne for 70 years, so she was the only monarch most people have ever known. For decades, the Queen represented a beacon of British stability and tradition during difficult times, spanning from World War II to the coronavirus pandemic. People in the United States don’t have that same connection with Her Majesty, but the Queen was ready to pay tribute to her allies across the pond when they needed it most. In the aftermath of 9/11, Queen Elizabeth II broke 600 years of tradition to stand in solidarity with the US.
September 11, 2001 was a day of shock and heartbreak that no one will ever forget. The attack on the World Trade Center in New York City, and the Pentagon in Virginia, marked the deadliest terrorist attack in history, claiming the lives of nearly 3,000 people, including hundreds of police and firefighters. The event was met with shock and grief, especially in the US but also to the country’s allies around the world. The heartbreak was felt by American expats living overseas, who watched their home country be forever changed in an instant. In the days following 9/11, nations around the world found ways to show their respects and solidarity with the US. And the UK’s most poignant display came at the request of the Queen herself.
You’re probably familiar with the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace. The traditional ceremony occurs several times a week, as the Queen’s Guard, in their iconic red uniforms and tall hats, change shifts at the royal residences accompanied by music. The ceremony has been going on for hundreds of years, rarely breaking from a rigid, traditional protocol. That applies to the music: the band almost always plays traditional British songs and popular songs of the time.
But on September 13, 2001, 600 years of tradition was changed, all at the request of Queen Elizabeth: she requested that the “Star Spangled Banner,” the US National Anthem, be played during the changing of the guard.
National anthems have traditionally only been played during official state visits to honor visiting dignitaries, according to The Sun. However, the Queen asked that the US national anthem be played as a show of solidarity with the United States during this dark hour.
Over 5,000 people were gathered at Buckingham Palace that day, including a number of American expats. As the “Star-Spangled Banner” was played by the Coldstream Guards, many of the crowd began to sing along.
After the national anthem was played, Prince Andrew led the troops in a formal salute. The following day, a memorial service for the victims of 9/11 was held at St. Paul’s Cathedral. It was a truly moving tribute to the United States by Queen Elizabeth and her palace guards, and the moment has not been forgotten over 20 years later.