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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Festival-goers urged to stop taking wheelie bins full of booze
Daisy Jackson
Festival-goers have been warned not to take wheelie bins full of alcohol to festivals with them this summer.
The warning has come ahead of this year’s Download Festival, which takes place next month and kicks off the summer’s biggest run of festival dates.
But a major train operator has said there have been incidents in the past of passengers trying to travel to festivals with wheelie bins and luggage trolleys.
Passengers have had to be reminded that wheelie bins are not permitted on board, and they should instead only carry as much luggage as they can comfortably carry.
The warning comes from East Midlands Railway, one of the key services that will whisk people to Download Festival between 10 and 14 June.
Customers returning from the festival are also encouraged to use boot-cleaning brushes provided at stations to help remove mud before boarding trains.
Philippa Cresswell, customer experience director at East Midlands Railway, said: “We’re encouraging customers to travel light.
“Last year, some festive goers tried to board services with wheelie bins or festival trolleys full of beer. While it might seem like a great idea for getting your supplies to the festival, it just isn’t safe or possible to bring them onboard train services.”
Festival-goers urged to stop taking wheelie bins full of booze
EMR has also warned customers to plan journeys in advance, with engineering work taking place at various locations on the Midland Main Line, near where Download Festival takes place.
She continued: “We’re advising customers travelling to Download Festival to plan their journeys in advance and be aware that essential engineering work will affect services across the weekend.
“As a result, some services will be reduced or amended, and passengers should check before they travel and allow extra time.”
The full list of 125 ‘everyday essentials’ you’ll soon be able to get for cheaper in the UK
Emily Sergeant
Crisps, biscuits, avocado, and chewing gum are just a few of the items that are soon set to be available for cheaper in the UK.
First announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves last week, the Government has now published a list of more than 100 of key items that are set to see targeted cuts to tariffs, alongside uprating mileage rates for the first time in 15 years and reducing VAT.
It covers a wide range of ‘everyday essentials’ – from fresh fruit and vegetables, oil and baked goods, to chocolate, sauces, and soft drinks.
“The war in Iran isn’t our war, but one we will need to respond to,” Chancellor Reeves commented.
“My priority is keeping prices down for households and businesses. That’s why we’re freezing fuel duty, increasing the mileage rate for the first time in 15 years and slashed VAT temporarily this summer to help reduce the cost of days out.”
Full list of 125 ‘everyday essentials’
Garlic
Gherkins
Aubergines
Sweet peppers
Other peppers (capsicum/pimenta)
Olives (fresh/chilled)
Olives (for oil production)
Olives (frozen)
Plantains (fresh and dried)
Bananas (fresh and dried)
Limes
Citrus fruits (various)
Avocados
Fresh figs
Dried figs
Other fresh fruits
Frozen fruits
Dried apricots
Dried apples
Dried peaches/nectarines
Dried pears
Dried papaya
Mixed dried fruit
Mixed nuts
Mixed fruit and nuts
Green tea
Buckwheat
Fonio
Quinoa
Olive oil (extra virgin)
Olive oil (virgin)
Olive oil (other)
Margarine
Mixed fats and oils
Vegetable oils
Chewing gum
Liquorice products
White chocolate
Marzipan and pastes
Throat pastilles
Sugar confectionery
Boiled sweets
Toffees and caramels
Sugar tablets
Cocoa paste
Cocoa powder
Chocolate (bulk and retail)
Chocolate bars
Chocolate with fruit, nuts or cereal
Chocolate spreads
Chocolate drink preparations
Couscous
Crispbread
Gingerbread
Biscuits
Waffles and wafers
Rusks
Toasted bread products
Bread
Pizzas and quiches
Pickled peppers
Prepared vegetables
Crisps
Processed potatoes
Baked beans
Preserved beans
Preserved vegetables
Preserved tropical fruit
Candied fruit
Jams and marmalades
Preserved citrus fruits
Mixed preserved fruit and nuts
Tomato ketchup
Tomato sauces
Soups and broths
Non-alcoholic beverages
Plant-based drinks
Crisps and fresh fruit are two of the items set to see targeted tariff cuts / Credit: Esperanza Doronila | Jonas Kakaroto (via Unsplash)
The Government says these cuts support the action it has already taken to reduce the cost of living – including freezing prescription charges, protecting motorists from fuel duty increases, and raising the minimum wage.
The list of everyday essentials set to see targeted cuts to tariffs comes after the Great British Summer Savings initiative was announced last week.
This means that, from 25 June through to 1 September 2026, a temporary reduced rate of VAT – down from 20% to 5% – will be introduced on children’s meals in restaurants and family leisure activities over the summer period.
Emily Sergeant -
19th September 2022 
