Duke and Duchess of Gloucester mark 9/11

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester attended a special Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace marking the 25th anniversary of 9/11. 

Prince Richard and Birgitte, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, were on the Buckingham Palace forecourt this morning to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks. The United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Mr Warren Stephens, alongside British and American nationals, joined the Duke and Duchess as they honoured those who lost their lives a quarter century ago.

Photo: Screenshot/Fair Use

After having marched to Buckingham Palace, the Band of the Coldstream Guards entered the forecourt. The Duke and Duchess then exited the Palace accompanied by U.S. Ambassador Warren Stephans along with Mrs Harriet Stephens. ‘God Save the King’ as well as ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’, the UK and US national anthems, were performed, followed by The Thunderer, The Stars and Stripes Forever, Hymn to the Fallen (from Saving Private Ryan) and Amazing Grace.

Some were emotional as the special Guard Change echoed a request of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Days after the Twin Towers had fallen, with a country and the world in a state of shock, the Queen ordered that the Band of the Coldstream Guards perform the US National Anthem during the Changing of the Guard on 13th September 2001. In solitary with the country across the pond, Queen Elizabeth II attended a special service of prayer at St Paul’s Cathedral.

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, representing King Charles, attended the inaugural National Day for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism at Lancaster House in August this year.