GOD SAVE THE KING
What are the lyrics to the national anthem and how have they changed?
THE Queen has died peacefully at the age of 96 - marking an end to her historic reign and sparking grief around the world.
Several things have changed as the reign of Elizabeth II passes to Charles III - among them the National Anthem.
The musical composition is sung at countless events, from international sporting events to royal ceremonies.
But its lyrics - which referenced the Queen since February 1952 - have had to change to centre around the new monarch, King Charles III.
How will the British national anthem lyrics change after Queen's death?
To much of the UK, the national anthem has always been known as God Save The Queen.
However, it is called God Save the King, with its famous lyrics adapted to refer to Charles, rather than Elizabeth.
For example, the final verse, which referred to 'she', 'her' and 'Queen' will now be adapted.
Under Charles III, they are: "May he defend our laws, And ever give us cause, With heart and voice to sing, God save the King!"
1
Read More On The Queen's Death
What will the lyrics of God Save the King be?
The opening verses of the National Anthem will now be:
God save our gracious King!
Long live our noble King!
God save the King!
Send him victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us:
God save the King!
O Lord our God arise,
Scatter his enemies,
And make them fall:
Confound their politics,
Frustrate their knavish tricks,
On Thee our hopes we fix:
God save us all.
Why was Prince Philip not a king?
The late Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, was not granted the title of king because of a rule.
It states the husband of a ruling queen is called Prince Consort, just as wives of kings are typically referred to as Queen consort.
The reason for Philip not becoming King when he married the Queen stems from a parliamentary law.
The law relating to succession doesn't relate to bloodline - only gender.
However, when Philip married the Queen he was given three other titles: Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth and Baron Greenwich.
Most read in News
The Queen's passing comes as...
- Liz Truss hailed the Queen as ‘the rock on which modern Britain was built’
- King Charles told of his 'greatest' sadness as he paid tribute to his mother
- The Queen went from a shy daddy's girl to a hero who dedicated her life to the country
- The Union flag flew at half mast as the devastating news was announced
- Prince Charles has now become King Charles III
- Prince Harry was pictured holding his head as he travelled to Balmoral to be with his family
- Crowds have gathered at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and Balmoral to pay tribute to the Queen
Topics