Visitors at Buckingham Palace witnessed a rare and powerful moment during the Changing of the Guard ceremony on July 30, 2025. The Band of the Coldstream Guards performed an unexpected cover of “Paranoid” by Black Sabbath, paying homage to Ozzy Osbourne just over a week after his death.
The performance quickly spread across social media, earning widespread praise from fans worldwide. About London shared a video of the tribute, showing the soldiers in their traditional bright red jackets and tall bearskin hats, playing one of heavy metal’s most iconic songs. The clip has already received over 100,000 views and hundreds of comments celebrating the gesture.
@about.london The Band of the Coldstream Guards perform “Paranoid” by Black Sabbath at Changing of the Guard today. RIP to Ozzy Osbourne the “Prince of Darkness” #guard #kingsguard #ozzyosbourne #blacksabbath #paranoid #heavymetal #rockband #london #buckinghampalace #fyp
Fans celebrate the moment
Reactions online were emotional and enthusiastic. One TikTok user wrote, “This is awesome. Proudest I’ve felt of this country for about 15 years.” Another said, “Never seen anything like it! Super proud!”
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Many fans thanked the band for honoring Osbourne, with one commenting, “Fantastic! Thank you for honoring the Prince of Darkness,” while another added, “Don’t think any musician has had this done after their passing.”
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Others expressed awe at the unusual tribute. “There’s something you don’t see every day,” one viewer wrote, while another reflected, “You would have been proud, Ozzy.”
A historic band, a rock legend remembered
The Coldstream Guards, the oldest regiment in the British Army, trace their origins back to 1650. Their band was officially formed in 1685 under King Charles II, and over centuries it has become one of the most respected military ensembles in the world. While their performances at royal ceremonies usually follow tradition, this cover of “Paranoid” stood out as a rare and emotional break from routine.
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The tribute coincided with a large memorial service held in Osbourne’s hometown of Birmingham the same day. Thousands lined the streets as a funeral procession, led by the Bostin’s Brass band, passed landmarks tied to Black Sabbath’s legacy. Photos shared on Osbourne’s Instagram captured his family embracing and fans leaving flowers and gifts.
Birmingham had already honored its hometown hero earlier in the week, with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra performing his songs at the Bullring shopping center just a day after his death.
BBC Radio WM presenter Ed James also paid tribute on air, recalling Osbourne’s final show and thanking him for decades of music. Quoting the singer’s own words, James said, “‘I’m just John Osbourne, a working-class kid from Aston who left the factory and went looking for a good time,’ and my god did he find it.”
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Ozzy Osbourne’s influence stretched far beyond heavy metal, and with tributes like this, his legacy continues to resonate around the world.
