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Queen Elizabeth II

Milestones of a Monarch: The Queen has the US national anthem played after 9/11

September 11, 2001, changed the world after the attacks in New York City, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania. The Queen showed her support for the American people by having the US national anthem played at Buckingham Palace.

On 13 September 2001, The Queen ordered that the “Star Spangled Banner” be played during the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. It was an unprecedented event to show solidarity and support after one of the world’s worst terror attacks on such a close ally.

The Changing of the Guard took 45 minutes with Prince Andrew representing his mother, and the US Ambassador to the United Kingdom William Farish was also in attendance.

Thousands of Americans had gathered outside the gates for the daily event and sang along as their anthem was played. A huge round of applause was heard once the anthem was finished. Many, holding small American flags, wiped away tears before a two minute moment of silence was held.

Other sombre American songs were then played before the ceremony came to an end.

American broadcasters that evening aired footage of the Changing of the Guard, with ABC’s Pete Jennings getting emotional at the conclusion of the anthem.

This wasn’t the only was Her Majesty showed support after 9/11.

When the UK national anthem is played, The Queen stands as the public sings to her. She doesn’t sing a national anthem; she is The Queen. However, one occasion had such an impact, that Her Majesty broke with her tradition and sang the American national anthem.

This was during the memorial service held at St Paul’s Cathedral for the victims of the 9/11 attacks in New York City, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania. As she does not sing anthems, when “The Star Spangled Banner” was played in the cathedral, she joined in and was later seen wiping a tear from her eye.

Twenty years after those tragic attacks in the United States, Her Majesty again showed solitary with the American people. On the 20th anniversary of 9/11, she had the “Star Spangled Banner” played at the Changing of the Guard at Windsor Castle in 2021.

She also sent a message to President Biden talking about her visit to the World Trade Center site and the impact it had on her.

“My visit to the site of the World Trade Center in 2010 is held fast in my memory. It reminds me that as we honour those from many nations, faiths, and backgrounds who lost their lives, we also pay tribute to the resilience and determination of the communities who joined together to rebuild,” she said.

Through all events, Americans have never forgotten The Queen’s kindness and support during the worst of times.

About author

Brittani is from Tennessee, USA. She is a political scientist and historian after graduating with a degree in the topics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in December 2014. She also holds a master's degree from Northeastern University. She enjoys reading and researching all things regarding the royals of the world. She's been researching, reading, and writing on royalty for over a decade. She became Europe Editor in October 2016, and then Deputy Editor in January 2019, and has been featured on several podcasts, radio shows, news broadcasts and websites including Global News Canada, ABC News Australia, WION India and BBC World News.