Queen Elizabeth II broke tradition after 9/11 terror attacks to show solidarity with US
foxnews.comQueen Elizabeth II made an unprecedented move in the immediate aftermath of 9/11. Two days after Americans were left stunned by the deadliest terror attacks in the country's history on September 11, 2001, the British monarch, who died on Thursday at the age of 96, broke tradition to show solidarity with the shaken nation.
The monarch directed the band of the Coldstream Guards to play the "The Star-Spangled Banner" during the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace in order to pay tribute to the lives that were lost on that tragic day.
Queen Elizabeth broke with tradition to show her support for the U.S. after the 9/11 terror attacks. (Andrew Matthews - WPA Pool/Getty Images) The band usually performs "a selection of music ranging from traditional marches to songs from musicals and familiar pop songs" at the iconic daily ceremony held in front of Buckingham Palace, per the official royal website.
A tradition dating back to 1660, the Changing of the Guard is a major draw for tourists visiting London. According to a report from The Guardian in September 2001, 3,000 people gathered to hear the "The Star-Spangled Banner" performed, including hundreds of Americans. "As the band of the Coldstream Guards began the US national anthem hundreds in the crowd sang along while others wept, before observing a two-minute silence," the outlet reported.
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