The world remains to be mourning the lack of heavy steel legend Ozzy Osbourne, and now even the British royal guards have paid their respects in spectacular vogue. On July 30, through the iconic Altering of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace, The Band of the Coldstream Guards carried out a stirring rendition of the Black Sabbath basic “Paranoid” in honor of Osbourne‘s passing.
The Band of the Coldstream Guards is made up of elite musicians from The Royal Corps of Military Music and is considered one of 14 common military bands within the British Military. Identified for his or her ceremonial function and immediately recognizable uniforms — the daring crimson tunics and towering bearskin hats — the Coldstream Guards are a permanent image of British custom. The Altering of the Guard has been a part of the nation’s historical past for hundreds of years, courting again to the reign of King Henry VII.
For about three minutes, the guards crammed the air outdoors Buckingham Palace with the unmistakable riffs of “Paranoid”, giving vacationers and followers gathered outdoors a very unforgettable tribute. Video footage of the second shortly went viral, as individuals from across the globe celebrated the distinctive approach Britain honored considered one of its most well-known rock exports.
The timing of the tribute was deeply symbolic. It happened on the exact same day as Ozzy Osbourne‘s funeral procession in Birmingham, England, the place 1000’s lined the streets to bid farewell to the Prince of Darkness as his cortège handed by his hometown.
Ozzy‘s connection to the British royal household goes again a long time. In 2002, he famously carried out “Paranoid” for the late Queen Elizabeth II, then-Prince Charles, and Princes William and Harry through the “Occasion on the Palace” live performance celebrating the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. Only a 12 months later, after Ozzy‘s near-fatal quad bike accident, Charles — now King Charles III — despatched him a bottle of whiskey to raise his spirits.
Ozzy Osbourne died on the morning of July 22, 2025, surrounded by his household. In a press release, they shared, “It’s with extra disappointment than mere phrases can convey that now we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has handed away this morning. He was along with his household and surrounded by love. We ask everybody to respect our household privateness presently.”
The tribute at Buckingham Palace served as a robust reminder of how deeply Ozzy‘s music and legacy have resonated — from the streets of Birmingham to the halls of British royalty. His affect on rock and heavy steel is simple, and now, due to the Coldstream Guards, his reminiscence has been immortalized in considered one of Britain’s most time-honored traditions.
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