Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace gets Blackpink and Psy South Korean twist

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The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace came with a South Korean twist as a military band played K-pop to make the visiting president feel at home.

The band delighted tourists with a rendition of Ddu-du, Ddu-du by Blackpink - South Korea’s biggest girl group who became the first Korean band to headline a major UK festival.

The group's music video was also the first by a Korean group to pass two billion views on YouTube. The military band also played a rendition of Gangnam Style by Psy.

Last night the King praised the environmental credentials of Blackpink and highlighted South Korea’s creativity and culture, from Gangnam Style to the popular Netflix series Squid Game. In his banquet speech, the King Charles said “Koreans have created a miracle” in their journey from “wartime devastation” to a thriving country where the “industrial efficiency” he witnessed during a visit in 1992 had become the “epitome” of technological innovation. He added: “Through their own sweat and toil, and under the shadow of tyranny and the ever present threat of aggression, over seven decades Koreans have built a bastion of democracy, human rights and freedom. “In a world where these values are challenged, sadly, as rarely before in our lifetimes, the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom stand shoulder to shoulder in defence of all that we hold dear.”

President of South Korea Yoon Suk Yeol listens as King Charles III speaks at the state banquet Credit: PA

Among more than 170 guests were leading figures from British and Korean life, from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and wife Akshata Murty to Blackpink, and members of the royal family like the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Princess Royal. Earlier Kate wore a striking red cape and coat by Catherine Walker, and a matching hat by Jane Taylor, when the King and Queen hosted a ceremonial welcome for the president and his wife Kim Keon Hee in London’s Whitehall at the start of their three-day state visit. At a private lunch hosted by the King, there was an apparent ruffling of feathers among the South Koreans when news broke of a North Korean rocket launch as Pyongyang made another attempt to place a military spy satellite into orbit. Listening to the King’s banquet address were singers Jennie Kim, Jisoo Kim, Lisa Manobal and Rose Park from Blackpink, South Korea’s biggest girl group who became the first Korean band to headline a major UK festival during the summer. Charles also paid tribute to the Koreans’ interest in protecting the environment and singled out the K-pop group for praise.

He told the guests: “I applaud Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa and Rose, better known collectively as Blackpink, for their role in bringing the message of environmental sustainability to a global audience as ambassadors for the UK’s presidency of Cop26, and later as advocates for the UN sustainable development goals. “I can only admire how they can prioritise these vital issues, as well as being global superstars. Sadly, when I was in Seoul all those years ago, I am not sure I developed much of what might be called the Gangnam Style!” In his speech Mr Yoon echoed the sentiment of the King, praising the close ties between the UK and South Korea, saying: “When I was young, my friends and I were all fans of The Beatles, Queen, and Elton John. Harry Potter books are adored by many Koreans. “Most importantly, the United Kingdom is the architect of modern liberal democracy. Most democracies are deeply influenced by British parliamentary democracy. Korea is no exception. “On the basis of our shared universal values of freedom, human rights and the rule of law, the Republic of Korea will continue to steadfastly stand together with the United Kingdom as we work together for freedom, peace and prosperity around the world.” Alongside the pomp and pageantry, the UK and South Korea are to launch talks on a new trade deal and sign a diplomatic accord as part of Mr Yoon’s three-day state visit. Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch will begin negotiations with her Korean counterpart Bang Moon Kyu at the UK-Korea Business Forum at Mansion House on Wednesday. They will also announce £21 billion of investments committed by Korean businesses in green energy and infrastructure projects across the UK.

This is the Royal Rota - our weekly podcast about the royal family, with ITV News Royal Editor Chris Ship and Producer Lizzie Robinson.