Britain’s nationwide anthem will swap ‘King’ for ‘Queen’ as Charles takes the throne

Numerous small modifications to British each day life are anticipated within the coming weeks to welcome the brand new monarch — King Charles III, who ascended to the throne after the demise of his mom, Queen Elizabeth II, on Thursday. For occasion, the queen’s portrait seems on British cash and postage stamps, and people will want new designs.

But one change will probably be much less apparent: the phrases to the nationwide anthem.

For the primary time since 1952, English sports activities followers, for instance, might want to change an essential phrase within the tune they sing earlier than matches — as an alternative of “God save the queen,” they now have a king to pay their respects to. (Scottish and Welsh followers sing different songs.)

The British nationwide anthem — “God Save the Queen” or “God Save the King,” relying on who’s reigning, which can also be utilized by many Commonwealth nations because the royal anthem — shouldn’t be written into regulation, so its phrases may change instantly, making the primary verse, the one historically sung:

God save our gracious king!

Long dwell our noble king!

God save the king!

Send him victorious,

Happy and superb,

Long to reign over us,

God save the king.

VIDEO: Mournful ‘God Save the Queen’ rings out at Buckingham Palace shortly after information broke of Queen Elizabeth II’s demise pic.twitter.com/TItwsR3Pmu

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) September 9, 2022

One speedy query is whether or not followers embrace these tiny modifications or proceed singing “queen” — at the very least for now — in tribute to the much-loved Elizabeth. The reply will quickly be obvious: England’s males’s soccer workforce performs Italy in Milan on Sept. 23.

Whatever occurs at that match, the primary time sports activities followers do sing the brand new phrases will probably be a extremely symbolic second, but in addition a discombobulating one for the English public.

For many Britons, previous recordings of individuals singing “God Save the King” for Elizabeth’s father, George VI, sound unusual, a remnant of one other period, quite than an indication of an thrilling future.

(Written by Alex Marshall)