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.
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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Manchester Airport launches HUGE January sale with up to 40% off travel essentials
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Airport is kicking off the new year with a huge January sale, and there’s loads of savings to make the most of.
2026 is here, and with January often being considered one of the least-favourite months of the year, many people will be dreaming of their next holiday and planning when they’re next going to jet off on their travels, which is why Manchester Airport has decided to launch a big January sale – with up to 40% off on travel ‘essentials’.
Unfortunately, we wish it was… but one of those ‘essentials’ isn’t actually the flights themselves.
While you won’t be able to bag a couple of quid off the flight to your next holiday, tourists will be able to save on a range of other travel services instead, as after all, the journey is just as important as the destination.
We’re talking savings on parking places, airport lounges, FastTrack security checks, and even a private terminal to fly from.
When it comes to parking, you can get 15% off T2 Multi Storey West and T2 Meet & Greet, and 25% off all other parking locations for arrivals until 30 April 2026, as well as 15% off all parking locations for arrivals from 1 May until 31 August 2026.
To make your airport experience that little bit more stress-free, you can now get 40% off FastTrack Security for all arrivals until 31 December 2027.
You can get 20% off T1 & T3 Escape Lounges, and 10% off T2 Escape Lounges for all arrivals until 31 March 2027, and if you want to add some luxury to your airport experience, then you can even get 30% off at aether when you spend £400 or more on travel between 1 April 2026 until 30 September 2026.
Many of the offers just mentioned cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer and are subject to availability too, so make sure you don’t get caught out.
Fancy booking a trip then? You can find out more information about Manchester Airport’s January Sale 2026, and book online here.
Featured Image – Ivan Shimko (via Unsplash)
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A much-loved Manc grassroots venue is hosting a live screening of The Traitors final
Danny Jones
A beloved grassroots venue here in Manchester city centre is holding a big screening of this year’s The Traitors final.
Consider already there with bells, whistles and a big hood on.
Yes, following the return of The Traitors mainline show this month, not to mention even more versions of the show landing on the BBC in 2026, we’re expecting record-breaking numbers of viewers for this year’s highly anticipated ‘Grand Final’.
With that in mind, Manc favourite arts and entertainment venue, Fairfield Social Club (FSC), will be playing The Traitors season four final on the big screen.
You do not want to miss this, and we don’t just mean the episode: we’re talking about the unparalleled and often unhinged vibes at Fairfield.
Having been to plenty of live events at FSC over the past 18 months or so, from live viewing parties and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia quizzes to nights out with other social clubs and community organisations, we can personally vouch for their hosting chops.
As for this particular watchalong, they’ve promised they’re “going all in for The Traitors Finale 2026, live on the FSC big screen with a full crowd, big reactions and plenty of drama.”
With the team set to deliver a full pre-show Traitors quiz with plenty of prizes up for grabs, and even free drinks for anyone who turns up in a cloak or top-notch Claudia Winkleman fancy dress, there are so many reasons to make this gaff the place you choose as your venue for the final.
We’ll also be making sure to attend their upcoming Lily Allen line-dancing show, because we’re still obsessed with West End Girl.
Like with The Traitors final, don’t worry, they’ve done this dance MANY times before.
Honestly, this place never disappoints when it comes to variety or enjoyment.
As if any of the above wasn’t already convincing enough for you, tickets are just a fiver, and they also include a welcome drink. Doors will open 6pm, and seating plans are simply first-come first first-served.
Not only is that a great deal across the board, but it’s also probably one of the cheapest drinks you’ll find in town these days…
If you fancy joining in the chaos and inevitable chorus of gasps when the Grand Final goes live, you can grab your tickets for the conclusion of this season’s Traitors at Fairfield Social Club right HERE – and we promise you that it will sell out fast.
Emily Sergeant -
19th September 2022 
