Two especially unusual performances of the song took place in the immediate aftermath of the United States September 11 attacks . On September 12 , 2001 , the Queen of the United Kingdom broke with tradition and allowed the Band of the Coldstream Guards to perform the anthem at Buckingham Palace , London , at the ceremonial Changing of the Guard , as a gesture of support for Britain 's ally . The following day at a St. Paul 's Cathedral memorial service , the Queen joined in the singing of the anthem , an unprecedented occurrence
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
The Star-Spangled Banner