King Charles' Guards Honor Ozzy Osbourne With a 'Unique and Powerful Tribute' — Video

The British military band played an unexpected cover during a ceremonial guard change, delivering a musical tribute that was praised online.

On July 30, 2025, the Band of the Coldstream Guards performed “Paranoid” by Black Sabbath in front of Buckingham Palace. The tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, who died just over a week earlier, marked a rare moment in which an army tradition paid public homage to one of Britain’s most influential musical figures.

This past Wednesday, the About London social media accounts uploaded a video in which the military band is seen performing one of heavy metal's most beloved songs. This happened during the Changing of the Guard ceremony, where the soldiers currently on patrol are replaced by the next rotation.

During the tribute, the band members wore their traditional uniforms — bright red jackets, dark trousers with red stripes, and tall black bearskin hats with a red plume identifying them as Coldstream Guards — as they played an array of brass instruments.

The clip of this moment has garnered over 100,000 views and more than 400 comments from netizens all over the world, many of whom praised the homage.

In the comments section, one TikToker wrote, "This is awesome. Proudest ive [sic] felt of this country for about 15 years." Another wrote, "Never seen anything like it! Super proud!!!"

One person added, "Fantastic! Thank you for honoring 'The Prince of Darkness' ❤️," while someone else noted, "Don't think any musician has had this done after their passing [sic]."

"There's something you don't see everyday [sic]❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥," said another netizen, and one viewer shared, "I have never seen this before!! Well done to the king for letting this happen your a legend ozzy you have more fans young and old more then you think you would of been proud [sic]."

Another expressed, "The absolute best! Pure respect across all levels!" and someone else commented, "Outstanding! What a tribute.. RIP Ozzy 🖤🖤🖤🤘🤘🤘."

One fan called it a "fantastic tribute to Ozzy 🥰," while another added, "What a unique and powerful tribute! It’s incredible to see the Coldstream Guards perform Paranoid — truly a blend of tradition and rock. RIP to Ozzy Osbourne, a legend in every way."

The Coldstream Guards were first founded in 1650 by General George Monck, making them the oldest regiment in the British Army.

The band itself dates back to 1685, when King Charles II allowed a small group of musicians for the King's Regiment of Foot Guards. Every month, they were hired to play music for the Changing of the Guard in front of St. James Palace.

Since then, the Band of the Coldstream Guards has become one of the most respected military ensembles in the world, having performed at major concert halls and events.

Their tribute to Osbourne happened on the same day as the massive memorial service organized in his hometown, Birmingham, where a funeral procession, led by the Bostin's Brass band, drove through the city toward the Black Sabbath Bench and Bridge.

Many photos of the event have been uploaded to the Prince of Darkness' Instagram page, showing the large crowds gathered behind barricades, and the Osbourne family holding each other as they looked at the fans and the gifts left behind.

Still, this memorial wasn't the first tribute seen in Birmingham since the rock icon's death on July 22. A day after his passing, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra played several covers of his songs at the Bullring shopping center.

The mall captioned their Instagram post with, "Honouring one of Birmingham’s own with the music that shaped generations 💜."

Additionally, a public figure of the city has spoken out in honor of the rock icon. During a live show on July 24, BBC Radio WM Presenter Ed James said that Ozzy Osbourne was one of a kind.

"You can't picture anyone like him at all," James continued on air. "There isn't anyone who has done what he's done, in the way that he's done it. He had a zest for life; he did it his way."

The radio host also spoke about Osbourne's farewell show from July 5, and recalled how the rock star looked tired, and his voice didn't sound the same.

"But he still had it. He still had whatever it was that made Ozzy, Ozzy," James affirmed. "And when the crowd roared, you saw the energy surge through him, and you saw it in his eyes. And when he laughed on stage, you just got the impression that he was right where he wanted to be."

James went on to thank Osbourne for his music, closing this tribute with the icon's own quote, "I'm just John Osbourne, a working class kid from Aston who left the factory and went looking for a good time," to which the presenter affirmed, "And my god did he find it."