It was one of the most memorable tributes paid in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks and as the world remembered, two decades on, the same reflection has taken place. On the 20th anniversary of the attacks, the US National Anthem has been played at Changing the Guard.
The Band of the Welsh Guards paid the tribute as the traditional ceremony took place at Windsor Castle. Crowds stood in silence to pay their respects as the anthem played out.
In 2001, two days after the attacks which killed 2,977 people, the US anthem was played at Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace in remembrance of all those lost.
On the 20th anniversary, The Queen sent a special message to the President of the United States. She told Joe Biden ”As we mark the 20th anniversary of the terrible attacks on 11th September 2001, my thoughts and prayers – and those of my family and the entire nation – remain with the victims, survivors and families affected, as well as the first responders and rescue workers called to duty on that day.”
Her Majesty continued ”My visit to the site of the World Trade Centre 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.”
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall also paid tribute in a tweet, saying ”On the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, we remember all those who lost their lives and pay tribute to the tireless work of the emergency services, some of whom paid the ultimate sacrifice to save others.”
Memorials and services will take place around the world to mark the 20th anniversary of the attacks.
