Barack Obama suffered an awkward moment during a banquet at Buckingham Palace when he broke royal protocol by speaking over the national anthem. The US President had just begun proposing a toast to the Queen when the orchestra accidentally struck up God Save The Queen. However, rather than pause and continue the speech after the music had stopped, Mr Obama pressed on only to be rebuffed when he raised his glass to the monarch. Protocol demands that people stand to attention when the national anthem is played.