Many viewers were left confused as the little-known second verse of the National Anthem was sung at Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral.
The nation bid a final farewell to our longest-reigning monarch today.
Around 2,000 guests attended the official State Funeral at Westminster Abbey, including world leaders representing nearly 200 countries and territories, 500 foreign dignitaries – such as politicians, civil servants, and some celebrities – and many ordinary members of the public selected for charitable or community works.
Tens of thousands of mourners also travelled to London and Windsor for the funeral and burial service, and many more were seen gathering at different hubs across the UK to watch the historic event in real-time as it was broadcast.
Queen Elizabeth II’s children – including the newly-ascended King Charles III and Queen Consort – were in attendance, as were her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and other extended family members.
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The service concluded with a two-minute silence, before the national anthem was sung by everyone inside Westminster Abbey.
But it appears not everyone knew the words.
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The National Anthem, God Save the King, has been sung at the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. pic.twitter.com/xozw8sIhYh
The British National Anthem is song known by people of all ages, and is sung at countless events, ceremonies, and occasions all throughout the year.
The anthem, in its present form, dates all the way back to the eighteenth century, but historians have claimed that as the words and tune are anonymous, it may in fact date back to sometime in the seventeenth century.
‘God Save The King’ was a patriotic song first publicly performed in London in 1745, and it came to be known as the National Anthem at the beginning of the nineteenth century.
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The Royal Family states that there is no authorised version of the National Anthem, as the words are a matter of tradition, and while additional verses have been added down the years, these are rarely used, which often leaves the words used today being those sung in 1745, and substituting ‘Queen’ for ‘King’ where appropriate.
On official occasions, only the first verse is usually sung – which explains why so many Brits are unfamiliar with the second verse.
This was about as evident as it could be during the State Funeral today.
As Westminster Abbey erupted in a rendition of the national anthem, the song continued after the first verse that most of us know off-by-heart into a second little-known verse, that left many viewers watching at home questioning why the majority just don’t know the words to the full anthem.
Others were just shocked to hear that there even is a second verse in the first place, and many took to social media to share their confusion.
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The sheer panic of that national anthem second verse starting.
Others were quick to point out that not only is there as little-known second verse to the National Anthem, but there are even lesser-known third and fourth verses – which are so rarely used, they are not even referenced on the Royal Family’s official website.
Given just how many people are not able to recite the words to the second verse of the National Anthem, others took the opportunity to call on the public to make an effort to learn it.
for anyone who was surprised, yes there’s a second verse to the national anthem
In case you were wondering, after all this talk of a second verse, what that second verse actually is, here is the British National Anthem.
Words are taken from the Royal Family’s official website.
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God Save the King
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.
Featured Image – BBC News
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Alejandro Garnacho ‘will leave’ Manchester United with queue of clubs ‘keen’, according to reports
Danny Jones
It looks like a decision on Alejandro Garnacho has now been made, as the latest transfer news is that he ‘will be leaving’ Manchester United this summer, with a number of clubs already in waiting.
The Garnacho situation is one that the Man United administration, manager Ruben Amorim and fans alike would have wanted to avoid if possible, but with the talented winger and his entourage making plenty of noise off the pitch, it seems that it was only ever going to end one way.
Now, just a few weeks on from that season-defining game, when there was already plenty of doubt around his future at Old Trafford, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has stated that a decision has been reached between both Garnacho and the club, with the 20-year-old expected to leave this summer.
🚨🇦🇷 Alejandro Garnacho will leave Man United, decision confirmed on player and club side — set to part ways.
Understand staying in Premier League serious option with 3 clubs already very keen… after Bayer Leverkusen and Italian clubs calling.
Yes, Romano claims that the board have now bitten the bullet and a reconciliation between Garnacho and the United boss looks unlikely, with a decision now “confirmed.”
Moreover, the Italian journalist goes on to add that there are at least three clubs who are “already very keen”, with even more expected to be monitoring the situation over the coming weeks and months.
The situation has shades of Erik ten Hag’s ousting of Jadon Sancho or even how Amorim approached the fallout with first-team star Marcus Rashford, whose future is still up in the air following his loan deal at Aston Villa expiring.
Romano elaborated that while it looks like a “very difficult deal to do” financially for a number of those interested – Bayer Leverkusen, and Serie A sides like Napoli being some of those floated thus far, as well as plenty of Premier League teams.
In terms of domestically, Chelsea have been considered suitors of the number 17 for several months now, and have already begun their spending in this window by snapping up one of the Red Devils‘ supposed targets in Liam Delap.
You can see his full breakdown of the situation, among other transfer window updates, in more detail down below:
The youngster and academy product had been considered one of the club’s brightest prospects and bargains in recent years when he was picked up at just 16 from Atlético Madrid – not to mention quickly becoming a fan favourite – but it seems, ability aside, his character simply doesn’t fit the dressing room.
Since both Sancho and Chelsea have been mentioned, it’s also worth touching on those somewhat controversial circumstances.
While you could argue Amorim isn’t really losing a winger since the 25-year-old is now set to return to Carrington for the time being (a player he hasn’t been able to get his hands on yet), with Chelsea opting to avoid their obligation to sign him permanently, it still looks likely he’ll leave Man United.
Nevertheless, were the Portuguese coach somehow able to get a tune out of the previously exiled loanee, it could be intriguing to see how this one develops.
Wigan Warriors make history with first-ever Women’s Challenge Cup win
Danny Jones
Wigan Warriors have done it: they’ve officially lifted the 2025 Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup for the first time in their history following an emphatic victory over serial champions, St Helens.
The Greater Manchester club managed not only to finally win the tournament but also to put a stop to St Helens’ hugely successful streak and what would have been five consecutive wins.
Spurred on by some smart tactics from club legend and boss, Dennis Betts – who won the competition seven times with Wigan as a player himself – the Warriors put in an imperious performance, leading by 18 at half time. Now that’s how you start a match.
Here’s the moment they finally got their hands on it:
Not only was the first-ever Challenge Cup win for Wigan Warriors Women, but it also ended a fairly significant silverware drought that has felt even longer for the supporters.
The last time a female Wigan Warriors squad won a major trophy was in the Super League back in 2018, when they also managed to win a maiden Grand Final against Leeds Rhinos by just 18-16.
Cut to this weekend, and the team fielded was much more impressive, not just when it comes to taking an early lead but by stretching and consolidating it to continue controlling the game.
In fact, Wigan were up by 24 before the opposition coaching duo Derek Hardman and Craig Richards’ side even got points on the board.
Full-back Grace Banks pipped her teammates to the Player of the Match award, but there were star showings all over the pitch, including a prolific Isabel Rowe and a wonderful run from Eva Hunter.
— Wigan Warriors 🍒⚪️ (@WiganWarriorsRL) June 7, 2025
Truth be told, it was a bit of a thrashing and one of their best scorelines of the season – kind of them to save it for an epic conclusion at Wembley Stadium.
As for Salford-born Betts, who was once a prospect at Manchester United, playing with the B team alongside the likes of Mark Robins and Clayton Blackmore, this was his first trophy in charge of the women’s team in what has already been a remarkable career.
What a success story his sporting switch turned out to be
Congratulations to a local club with a very bright future ahead.
Emily Sergeant -
19th September 2022 
