God save our gracious King: Words to the national anthem change
God save our gracious King: Words to the national anthem change – to the same version last used when the Queen’s father George VI was on the throne
- Crowds outside Buckingham Palace today were heard singing God save the King
- It’s the first time this version of the national anthem has been sung since 1952
- The British national anthem in its present form dates back to the 18th century
- Full coverage: Click here to see all our coverage of the Queen’s passing
The words to the national anthem today changed to ‘God save our gracious King’ with substitutions of ‘him’ and ‘he’ as King Charles III ascended the throne.
This version was last used when the Queen’s father George VI was on the throne.
Usually only the first verse is sung and this 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.’
This is a matter of tradition, not law.
Crowds gathered outside of Buckingham Palace today were heard singing God Save the King, as King Charles III arrived in London today
This version was last used when the Queen’s father George VI (pictured) was on the throne
History of the national anthem
The British National Anthem in its present form dates back to the 18th century.
It became popular amid the patriotism that followed the 1745 victory of Prince Charles Edward Stuart over King George II’s army in Scotland.
After hearing the news of Prince Charles’ success in the battle, the leader of the band at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, arranged God Save The King for a performance after the play. It was repeated nightly after that.
There is no authorised version of the National Anthem as the words are a matter of tradition.
Additional verses have been added down the years, but these are rarely used.
Crowds gathered outside of Buckingham Palace today were heard singing God Save the King, as King Charles III arrived in London.
As the King shook the hands of those who had gathered to see him return to Buckingham Palace with the Queen Consort, Camilla.
People were heard shouting, ‘God save the King’ before the crowd started singing the anthem.
It is the first time the national anthem will be sung to a king, with the use of ‘he’ and ‘him’ since the death of the Queen’s father, King George VI, in 1952.
Last night, West Ham fans broke out into the national Anthem following a minute’s silence being held before the start of their match with Real Sociedad at the London Stadium.
It was also belted out by patriotic Brits in pubs across the country last night, after news broke of the Queen’s death.
A mixture of both ‘God Save the King’ and ‘God Save the Queen’ was heard amongst the crowd.
The British national anthem in its present form dates back to the 18th century.
According to the royal family’s website, the anthem became popular after the 1745 victory of Prince Charles Edward Stuart over King George II’s army in Scotland, and was sung in London theatres.
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.
Thy choicest gifts in store
On him be pleased to pour,
Long may he reign.
May he defend our laws,
And ever give us cause,
To sing with heart and voice,
God save the King.
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