Beating Retreat 2015, Two Anthems

At the conclusion of Beating Retreat, the band from Germany and the Combined Bands played the national anthems of both Germany and Britain. A powerful moment.

[@jamesmurdoch9805]

Hmm... Considering the British and the Germans have more in common with each other than any other countries and considering the history of the British Royal Family (I am an ardent Monarchist), I think this is very appropriate.

[@maxsugar6394]

You have to see it that way. After two devastating wars that both countries have waged against each other, this is an attempt to bring people together. In economic terms, we have long been our closest partner. But you don't see that in everyday life. Such a ceremony should also sensitize the citizens that one is at peace with Germany. Music and pictures have a great influence on people.

[@boahkeinbockmehr]

That's what i call hospitality, first the song of the germans and then the imperial anthem ;-)

[@Marco-bf4uu]

Its in every country like that

[@boahkeinbockmehr]

@@Marco-bf4uu you didn't get it. The british anthem shares its melody with the old german imperial anthem (Heil dir im Siegerkranz), so from a german pov they first played our current and then our old anthems melody

[@Marco-bf4uu]

@@boahkeinbockmehr ouh now I do yes hahah

[@WKP2Marchingband]

Two anthem of german and britren is very good

[@louislungbubble]

i watched this again and just noticed the officer going over to the two guardsmen on duty at the stands and telling them salute for the anthem.....no way it was on purpose but you would think they would have known the protocols...come on boys wake up!!..........................marty

[@officerpizza2239]

Kinda disrespectful

[@Richard500]

Personally, I don't recall ever actually Saluting a National Anthem, only Standing to Attention while it was played. Officers would salute with their hands as normal. Perhaps it's different in the RAF?

[@donaldclark3570]

When paraded, it is only an officer that raises a hand salute.

[@Insperato62]

Personally, I think you could say the same about both armies - rather have them with you than against you. The "German" army at Waterloo and WW1 and WW2 was highly disciplined, and the British Army (despite the flogging - which totally amazed foreign powers) is sufficiently bloody minded to fight despite appalling equipment and, especially in WW1, some shocking junior officers (though that might have had more to do with appalling training).

[@hansulrichboning8551]

If Germany would still be a monarchy they could play the same anthem twice(with different lyrics of course)😅

[@stewartsnape1231]

Sounds like Germany anthem, and of course God save the queen,Her majesty Queen Elizabeth ll

[@Leutnant82]

What do you mean? they left because of the playing of the german anthem? why?

[@joshuakaplan411]

Leutnant82 I got the impression, from the comments of some people who left as it was being played, that they did not approve of the German anthem being played at this event. I don't know the reason.

[@Leutnant82]

Joshua Kaplan thank you for your answer. I think this is a nice gesture if you have guests from another country at such an event, that you play their national anthem - even more if its the anthem of a country which you share such close ties with. As a german, I have always wondered why some british still have such big of a problem with germans. Of course, these are only a few. But still, they rather put some nice nazi pictures of good old fritz in their newspapers than looking ahead. This would never happen in Germany, that people would disregard the british anthem - i find this very disrespectful.

[@joshuakaplan411]

Leutnant82 I agree that was a positive gesture to play both anthems. The band from Germany was invited as way of acknowledging the role of the Prussian army in defeating Napoleon's army at the battle of Waterloo--since this is the 200th anniversary of that battle. The past is complicated, isn't it?

[@louislungbubble]

Joshua Kaplan the last century saw terrible and bitter conflict between Great Britain and Germany and of course this has made a big impression on peoples thinking , but but i believe it is safe to say that prior to this and for much longer the two countries stood together as allies in many wars , not to mention the connections of royalty .it was an honour for the musicians of a German army band to play on horse guards and it was an honour to have them>>>>>>>marty

[@joshuakaplan411]

Well said, Louis. It was a powerful moment to hear the combined bands play both anthems.

[@Tobias1985]

Our uniform from germany looks pretty weird. But the uniform of the british guards Guards looks verry cool

[@metropolensis5901]

yeah huge bearskin hats aren't weird

[@stefanie4078]

Ich finde die britischen Uniformen auch viel cooler als unsere muss ich gestehen 😄 egal was viele zb über die Bärenfellhüte sagen

[@Peter_WoT]

Good idea to sing the anthems, so it is clear this are not the austrian and german imperator anthems.

[@divioquendo8548]

que viva Alemania y reino unido

[@davidheidseman4914]

When it's about Waterloo, then they maybe should have played and sung the Prussian Anthem - "Ich bin ein Preuße, kennt ihr meine Farben".

[@comsubpac]

Preußen doesn't exist anymore and troops from several german states were present on the battlefield.

[@boahkeinbockmehr]

If one has to play a prussian song, it should be the people's anthem "Land der dunklen Wälder"

[@boahkeinbockmehr]

@@comsubpac the state doesn't exist any more, the people and their descendants still do

[@comsubpac]

@@boahkeinbockmehr Irrelevant.

[@Chiron84]

@@boahkeinbockmehr Why not Prussia's Glory or the Koeniggraetzer March?

[@jurgenfichtel3253]

Ja, lllleeeee k Mini, iiiiiiiuii