The Band of the Welsh Guards, gripped by Women’s World Cup fever, played a rousing rendition of ‘Sweet Caroline’ at today’s Changing of the Guard ceremony outside Buckingham Palace.
The song was performed shortly after the Lionesses kicked off their crucial semi-final against Australia at 11am.
The instrumental version of Neil Diamond’s iconic song has been adopted by England fans as an anthem for the national side.
And it was sung with gusto by the vastly outnumbered Lionesses’ supporters inside the stadium in Sydney as Sarina Wiegman’s team beat Australia 3-1.
The result secured England’s first World Cup Final since the men’s team defeated West Germany at Wembley in 1966.
But to ensure no hard feelings with our football foes Down Under, the Band of the Welsh Guards, conducted by Major Lauren Petritz-Watts, also played ‘Waltzing Matilda’.
The Band of the Welsh Guards formed in 1915, the same year as the regiment, during the First World War.
It is a symphonic wind band and the youngest of the Bands of the Household Division.
Musicians in the band are regular soldiers in the British Army, carrying out roles such as medics and drivers.
The band is based at Wellington Barracks in St James’s, London.
Our bands deliver musical capability around the world enhancing military effect.
Supporting influence activity and Defence engagement is a key role for British Army bands, whether performing at ambassadorial residences or taking part in overseas music events.
Back home, the British Army bands play a key role in ceremonial occasions, most recently during the Coronation Procession which was of a size, scale and ambition not seen in the UK for 70 years. If you can see yourself performing in national events, find out more.
We wish the Lionesses the very best for Sunday's World Cup final against Spain. Let’s hope the ‘Good times never seemed so good’ carry on!