Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, attention has turned to what's next for the Royal Family. Shortly after news of Her Majesty's passing, new Prime Minister Liz Truss confirmed that the former Prince of Wales would be known as King Charles III.
The death of The Queen signals a change to numerous traditions, including that of the national anthem. Formally known as 'God Save the Queen', the national anthem or royal anthem will now change to reflect the Monarch's passing.
Upon the King's ascension to the throne, the national anthem will now change to "God Save The King". Changing countless times with the monarchy, the anthem was first adopted in September 1745.
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Since its first publication, different verses have been added and taken away from the anthem and, even today, different publications include various selections of verses in various orders. In general, only one verse is sung. Sometimes two verses are sung and, on rare occasions, three.
In the UK, the first verse is typically sung alone, even on official occasions, although the third verse is sometimes sung in addition on certain occasions such as during the opening ceremonies of the 2012 Summer Olympics and 2012 Summer Paralympics, and usually at the Last Night of the Proms.
Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning monarch in British history, and this year marked 70 years on the throne with her Platinum Jubilee. Her husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, died on April 9, 2021, aged 99.
The couple married in 1947, five years before she became Queen. At the age of 96, the Queen leaves behind four children, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
As her eldest son, Charles, 73, is the heir to the throne he will be known as King Charles III. His wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, will automatically take on the title and style of queen consort.
The flags in Downing Street were lowered to half mast at 6.36pm following the Queen’s death. BBC One played the national anthem following the announcement, showing a photograph of the Queen, followed by a royal crest on a black background and the words Queen Elizabeth II.
Floral tributes have already started to build at the gates of the Queen’s residences. A crowd gathered outside Buckingham Palace earlier in the day beneath dark clouds.
More than 100 umbrella-clad observers congregated on the stone steps up to The Queen Victoria Memorial, opposite the royal residence. People have begun laying flowers at the gates of Buckingham Palace.
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