As the Queen of Soul was laid to rest in her hometown of Detroit on Friday people around the world paid tribute to the late icon, including the soldiers based at Buckingham Palace in London.
An incredible video has been shared online which shows the Band of the Welsh Guards performing an instrumental version of Aretha Franklin’s 1967 smash hit R-E-S-P-E-C-T, at the exact time her funeral was taking place across the pond.
The video was shared on the British Army’s official social media accounts and shows the band lined up outside of Queen Elizabeth’s London residence, dressed in their classic red uniforms and iconic bearskin headwear.
The unexpected performance took place during the famous Changing of the Guards ceremony on Friday, which regularly attracts crowds of tourists keen to witness the pomp and protocol of the military ritual.
“Crowds attending the Changing of the Guards Ceremony at Buckingham Palace this morning were treated to more than the usual respect by the troops from the British Army’s Household Division,” the post on YouTube read.
“In the Army Respect for others underpins all that we do, so there was only one tune that would do for today’s ceremony: the 1967 Aretha Franklin hit “R.E.S.P.E.C.T.” a declaration from a strong confident woman who knows that she has everything.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s66grYJ5DDs
The post continued: “The Band of the Welsh Guards are world famous for their musical versatility and professional performance and this morning paid tribute to another musical icon and one that has been of huge influence and inspiration to our musicians – Aretha Franklin, whose funeral was being held in Detroit 3,748 miles away, at the same time of the Queen’s Guard Change.”
The Army Music Corps are famous the world over for their musical talent and regularly perform more modern hits for impressed crowds. Earlier this year they performed ABBA’s hit track Dancing Queen, to coincide with the release of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.
Said to be the Queen’s favourite song by the Swedish superstars, the Band of the Royal Logistics Corps – one of the 22 Bands in the Corps of Army Music – during the Changing of the Guard in July.
The message on Twitter at the time read: “Can you guess this tune? # FridayFeeling Beautiful played by @TheRLCBand during Changing the Guard at # BuckinghamPalace.”