The Band of the Coldstream Guards played Dolly Parton's song "9 to 5" during the Changing of the Guard ceremony on Wednesday [1].
The musical tribute marks a rare departure from traditional military repertoire at Buckingham Palace. It signals the global impact of Parton's career and the royal family's recognition of her influence on music and culture.
The performance took place on Aug. 26, 2026 [1], outside the palace in London. The band, which serves as King Charles' Guards, performed the piece to honor the singer after the announcement that she died the previous day [5, 6].
"9 to 5," the song selected for the tribute, was originally released in 1980 [4]. The track became a global anthem for the working class and remains one of the most recognizable songs in the country music genre.
The Changing of the Guard is a strictly choreographed military event. Integrating contemporary pop and country music into the ceremony is an unusual occurrence, one that drew significant attention from crowds gathered outside the palace gates.
While the royal family did not issue a formal statement during the performance, the choice of music served as a public acknowledgment of the loss. The Coldstream Guards are known for maintaining high standards of tradition, making the inclusion of a modern U.S. hit a notable gesture of respect.
“The Band of the Coldstream Guards played Dolly Parton's song "9 to 5" during the Changing of the Guard ceremony.”
The inclusion of a contemporary American country song in a centuries-old British military tradition reflects the intersection of global celebrity and royal protocol. By utilizing the Changing of the Guard for a tribute, the institution acknowledges Parton's status as a cultural icon whose reach extended beyond the music industry into the broader public consciousness of the United Kingdom.
