Star-Spangled Banner at Buckingham Palace

 

 

Queen Elizabeth after 9-11, breaking with royal protocol, ordered the playing of The Star Spangled Banner at Buckingham Palace:

 

For the first time, the Queen allowed her troops to play The Star Spangled Banner, the national anthem of the United States, during the ceremony in tribute to the many who died.

Standing beyond the palace railings, many of the 5,000 Americans broke down in tears and held their right hands over their heart in salute.

At first, the anthem, played by the band of the Coldstream Guards, was heard in a hushed silence and then slowly, one by one, many started singing until the words of The Star Spangled Banner echoed across Green Park.

As the final notes of the anthem faded away, the musical tribute from the British armed forces, so warmly welcomed by those present, was greeted by a round of applause before a two-minute silence was observed.

Traffic on The Mall, one of central London’s busiest thoroughfares, came to a halt during the tribute.

Standing rigidly to attention in the palace courtyard in front of the troops from the Coldstream Guards and the 1st Bn, the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment, the Duke of York, representing the Queen, took the formal salute.

Beside him, with hand on his heart, stood William Farish, the American ambassador to Britain.