Royal Salute

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The Royal Salute is one of the two salutes given by the Guard of Honor, second being the general salute. The name "Royal Salute" means it is the honorary salute given by the Guard to the reigning Monarch. It is common that some countries without monarchs give the royal salute to the President/Leading Head of the country to give him/her the proper respect. However the Royal Salute practiced in the Commonwealth of Nations gives the Royal Salute to the reigning monarch, members of his or her family, and their representatives.

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

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.