Gladiator theme played during Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace

Music from the blockbuster Gladiator boomed across the crowds during the Changing the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace, ahead of the King's attendance at the global premiere of the movie’s sequel.

A medley of hits from films and musicals, including Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Hairspray and ABBA, was performed on Wednesday, November 13, during the traditional military spectacle.

This special recital of soundtracks was staged on the day of the monarch’s celebratory reception at the Palace in honour of the UK’s film and television industry, and prior to his red-carpet night out at the Royal Film Performance screening of Gladiator II. The Battle, by Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard, featured in the original Gladiator movie to accompany the first fight scene.

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The new guard, the Queen’s Gurkha Engineers, marched with the Band and Bugles of The Rifles, from nearby Wellington Barracks to the Palace to take over the duty from the old guard.

Songs played included John Williams’ The Symphonic Marches which incorporates the Raiders March from the Indiana Jones movie Raiders Of The Lost Ark and the Imperial March from Star Wars. Also performed was Hairspray’s You Can’t Stop The Beat, as well as an ABBA medley.

The UK premiere of Gladiator II is taking place this Friday, November 15, at the Odeon Luxe Cinema in Leicester Square. The film is a sequel to Ridley Scott's 2000 Roman epic Gladiator, and sees Paul Mescal as Lucius taking on Maximus' legacy in the gladiatorial ring.

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