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.
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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.
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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Asda praised for launching £1 cafe meal deal for over 60s to help with cost of living
Emily Sergeant
People have been heaping praise on Asda for launching a £1 meal deal for over 60s at all in-store cafes to help with the cost of living.
With the cost of living crisis continuing to make its impact felt nationwide, and inflation now at a 40-year record high of 10.1%, one of the UK’s largest supermarket retailers has announced a range of new ‘winter warmer’ initiatives to support its customers and community groups who are struggling with the rising costs.
The supermarket is offering all over 60s the chance to enjoy soup, a roll, and unlimited tea and coffees for just £1 in any of its 205 cafes.
The offer will be running all day and every day throughout November and December.
Asda says it is “stepping up its support for older customers” as they continue to be “disproportionately affected” by spiralling living costs – with the supermarket’s latest Income Tracker showing those aged 65 to 74 experienced a £163 drop in disposable income in August, compared to last year.
Age UK also estimates that 2.8 million older households will still be living in fuel poverty this winter, despite the Government freezing the energy price cap.
We’ve announced three new ‘winter warmer’ initiatives to support customers and community groups struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, including a £1 meal deal for the over 60s in all our cafes throughout November and December. Read more here: https://t.co/3OepkMkBJRpic.twitter.com/dHCdHBO4Ht
The new £1 meal deal initiative for over 60s will also run alongside the supermarket’s current ‘kids eat for £1’ offer – which the retailer says continues to be hugely popular.
“We know that this winter is set to be incredibly hard for thousands of pensioners as they worry about how to keep themselves warm in the face of rising living costs and a fixed income,” Asda co-owner Mohsin Issa said on the launch of the meal deal initiative.
“We’ve already been able to serve over half a million meals through our Kids Eat for £1 initiative in our cafes and we’re hoping our new offer of soup and hot drinks for over 60s will prove just as impactful for those who need it most.”
Other initiatives announced by Asda during economic uncertainty include the supermarket’s charity, the Asda Foundation, providing funding worth £500,000 in the form of grants to support community groups that are struggling with rising operating costs or increased demand for their vital services.
Asda has been praised for launching £1 cafe meal deal for over 60s to help with cost of living / Credit: ASDA
Priority for grants of up to £2,000 will be given to groups and charities that need financial help to cover increased energy costs, or to those who want to use their facilities to create ‘warm banks’ – which are spaces where people can keep warm this winter if they are unable to afford to heat their homes.
The supermarket is also running a ‘Community Cuppa’ campaign in its cafes.
This will be done by creating spaces for community groups who “may otherwise struggle to meet due to rising energy costs”, with spaces available on weekdays in November and December from 2pm – 6pm and all those visiting receiving unlimited free tea or coffee.
Man City star Ilkay Gundogan’s wife blasted after calling Manchester’s restaurants ‘horrible’
Emily Sergeant
The wife of one of Manchester City‘s star players has come under fire after taking a hit at the city’s restaurants and branding them “horrible”.
Sara Arfaoui – who is the wife of Manchester City midfielder and club captain, İlkay Gündoğan – took to social media this week to give her opinion on Manchester‘s thriving, ever-expanding, and much-loved hospitality community in response to a fan who asked her to list some of her favourite places to grab a bite to eat in the city.
The model and TV presenter is known for being a keen foodie herself, so it’s no surprise that fans want to hear what she has to say about the food and drink scene in her new home city.
What does seem to have shocked people, though, is that she’s not really a fan of what’s on offer here.
In response to a question during a Q&A on her Instagram Stories yesterday, Sara explained: “Sorry… I’m sad to be honest but nothing.
“I tried so bad to find a good restaurant but… horrible food everywhere.
Ilkay Gundogan’s wife has received backlash after calling Manchester’s restaurants ‘horrible’ / Credit: Sara Gundogan (via Instagram)
“Can’t find a real Italian or good sushi or just fresh food… everything frozen. Restaurants here are just focus on making money with drinks and shot like night clubs not quality food.
“Maybe in London but in Manchester nothing. I’m sorry.”
Given the fact that us Mancs don’t take too kindly to those hitting out our beloved city, Sara’s comments have been met with a wave of backlash from Manchester’s restaurant owners, leading industry figures, and legion of dedicated foodies – who have all hit back online with their own views throughout today, and have urged the public figure to reconsider what she said.
Not only that, but renowned food critic Jay Rayner has even waded into the argument.
“This is a ludicrous point of view,” Rayner said.
“Manchester’s packed full of brilliant, independent restaurants. It’s an absolute gem of a place to eat and comments like this during difficult economic times are not helpful to businesses struggling to make ends meet.”
“I tried so bad to find a good restaurant but… horrible food everywhere.” / Credit: Sara Gundogan (via Instagram)
One local un-named restaurant owner apparently even contacted Sara herself to ask her to clarify some of the comments she made, according to reports in The Sun, saying: “There’s so many great restaurants in Manchester. I suggest you do research before you speak. And only because your husband is a footballer and you have money and you have everything probably paid for and a great life given to you here in Manchester.
“You should be grateful for that, instead of slagging off restaurants.”
At this challenge though, the 27-year-old model – who married the footballer earlier this year in May – likely didn’t give the response the restaurant owner was looking for, and deciding to double down on her comments, explaining: “So because we are successful people we can’t give an honest opinion?
“I tried all the best restaurants here but for me it’s a no. I can’t lie. Unfortunately I’m used to Italy so you can imagine it’s hard to compare.”
She did, however, add that Manchester is “a great city” with “great people” – but “not for restaurants.”
Emily Sergeant -
19th September 2022 
