Royal Salute

The Royal Salute is one of two salutes given by a Guard of Honour, the other being the General Salute. It is an honorary salute given by the Guard to the reigning Monarch or a representative of the Sovereign. In some countries without monarchs it is common to give a similar salute to the President of the country. However the Royal Salute practised in the Commonwealth of Nations gives the Royal Salute to the reigning monarch, his or her representative, members of his or her family, and foreign heads of state.

As such, the National or Royal Anthem is played as the Royal Salute is given, unlike the General Salute, which has a special Bugle Call named General Salute.

When the salute is being played to a Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, Governor-General, other vice-regal representative, or member of the royal family other than the monarch and current or previous consort, the salute normally consists of only the first few bars of the Royal Anthem (or National Anthem if the two are the same).

However, countries with more than one monarch such as Malaysia, which has 9 Sultans and 3 heads of state, the Reigning King ("Yang-dipertuan Agong") is given the National Royal Salute, i.e with only the national anthem playing. The other sultans and heads of state receive the Royal Salute, but following the state, the National Anthem is played first followed by the State Anthem.