- Hot topics
- Join Now!
‘God Save the King!’
With the coronation of King Charles III taking place this weekend, journalist Anne-Marie Minhall explains the history behind the national anthem.
We have music-loving Queen Victoria to thank, in part, for the National Anthem we know today. It was Victoria who was the first sovereign to regard it as the ‘National Anthem’ and she enjoyed adding extra verses to celebrate births and marriages within the royal family.
There is mystery behind both the tune and the words which, as a presenter on Classic FM weekday afternoons, I find intriguing. Could it be that this anthem goes all the way back to medieval times, a plainchant, to then one of Queen Elizabeth I’s favourite composers, John Bull. Maybe there were a few cheeky additions in the 17th Century by another English composer, Henry Purcell and then, in the next by the man who brought us ‘Rule, Britannia’, Thomas Arne.
To continue reading, register today for more access!
If you are a member or a registered user, or if you already have a login for another Premier website SIGN IN HERE
Sign up for your free account now!
Registering is quick and easy and gives you immediate access to read more articles, plus:
- You’ll receive a weekly newsletter every Saturday with the top stories of the week
- You can save articles to read later
- You can share your comments and thoughts on the stories
Or become a member today for unlimited access! Special offers are available!
If you already have an account with a Premier website SIGN IN HERE
Related articles
-
OpinionI’m an ex ‘conspiracy theorist’ but here’s why I’ll be staying out of the Epstein files and focusing on God instead
Writer Kate Orson reflects on her journey from New Age conspiracy circles to Christian faith in this personal response to the release of the Epstein files.
-
OpinionI have seen signs of hope in the middle of the hard winter in Ukraine
Writer, Sharyn Borodina, shares a glimpse into winter in wartime Ukraine through the voice of Kyiv resident Nadia Panchuk. She explores where hope and light are found when the power goes out.
-
OpinionFormer senior Bank of England analyst warns of the existence of aliens, how should Christians respond?
Writer Kate Orson responds to comments by Helen McCaw, former senior analyst at the Bank of England, who has urged preparations in case the US confirms the existence of alien life. Rather than fear the unknown, this article explores how Christians can approach the topic of aliens with biblical truth, spiritual discernment, and confidence in Christ.
More from Opinion
-
OpinionThe five spiritual attacks I faced when fasting during Lent
Denise Jelinek shares from personal experience how the struggles of Lent are often signs of spiritual growth, not failure. She helps readers recognize and overcome common spiritual attacks that arise when we draw closer to God.
-
OpinionReality Check: America’s Next Top Model and the search for true beauty
In Netflix’s Reality Check, writer Maxine Harrison examines the legacy of America’s Next Top Model, the hit series created by Tyra Banks that promised young women a shot at superstardom but left many grappling with lasting trauma. As former contestants revisit their experiences, the documentary raises deeper questions about identity, worth and what it really means to be beautiful in a culture obsessed with perfection.
-
OpinionThe Curfew: When fear becomes law, who saves our souls?
Writer Anna Rees reflects on The Curfew, the Channel 5 adaptation of Jayne Cowie’s dystopian novel, exploring a Britain where men are legally confined indoors after 7pm in the name of women’s safety. As this dark feminist utopia unfolds, Rees probes a deeper moral question: can a society governed by suspicion and control ever deliver the justice and restoration that faith demands?
- Issues
- Topics A-Z
- Writers A-Z
- © 2026 Woman Alive
Site powered by Webvision Cloud