The honors music for a person, office or rank is music played on formal or ceremonial occasions in the presence of the person, office-holder, or rank-holder, especially by a military band. The head of state in many countries is honored with a prescribed piece of music; in some countries the national anthem serves this purpose, while others have a separate royal, presidential, or, historically, imperial anthem. Other officials may also have anthems, such as the vice-regal salute in several Commonwealth realms for the governor-general, governor, or lieutenant governor. Ruffles and flourishes may be played instead of, or preceding, honors music.
Countries where the national anthem is also the royal anthem include Jamaica,Malaysia, the Netherlands,Norfolk Island, Spain, the United Kingdom, Jordan, Brunei and Cambodia. Additionally, the royal anthems of both Denmark and New Zealand have co-official status as national anthem along with a separate national anthem.
Instances of honors music other than the relevant national anthem include the following:
2. While an older version was played until 2010, a new version (now including lyrics in Filipino, composed by the former PSG Band Conductor MAJ Xavier Celestal) debuted in 2011 and is used in all events of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Coast Guard when the President is attending, uses the four ruffles and flourishes, and is often done with a 21-gun salute for military events only