In an unexpected but electrifying twist to royal tradition, the Band of the Coldstream Guards performed Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid” during the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace. The iconic courtyard, usually filled with stately marches and time-honored tunes, pulsed instead with the unmistakable riff of a 1970 heavy metal anthem.
Dressed in their trademark red tunics and towering bearskin hats, the guards played the tribute in flawless form, honoring the late Ozzy Osbourne in a way that merged centuries of pageantry with the rebellious spirit of rock. The performance lasted just over three minutes and caught the attention of onlookers and fans around the globe, many of whom captured the moment on their phones and shared it widely online.
The timing of the tribute was especially poignant. While the Coldstream Guards were saluting Osbourne outside the palace, his funeral procession was underway in Birmingham, his hometown. There, a brass band played “Iron Man” in another heartfelt farewell.
The tribute also carried a personal touch. Ozzy Osbourne had once performed at Buckingham Palace for Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and had expressed warm sentiments about King Charles, recalling how the monarch had reached out with kindness after a serious accident. That history, paired with the royal band’s bold performance, made the moment resonate deeply.
What could have been a standard ceremony became something unforgettable—an act of respect that broke protocol and struck a chord with generations of music lovers. For one brief, perfect moment, Buckingham Palace became the most regal rock venue in the world.
