God Save the King: Katherine Jenkins records first ever National Anthem for King Charles

Everything is changing. With the passing of the longest-serving monarch in British history, multiple generations who have only known one queen will be faced with a new face and name on everything from money and stamps to postboxes. We will also have to get used to singing the national anthem with small but immense changes. For the first time today, an official recording by Katherine Jenkins of the universally-known song, which made its royal debut in 1745, was broadcast with the lyrics updated to ‘God Save The King. These words haven’t been heard in most of our lifetimes, ever since the passing of King George VI in 1952. SCROLL DOWN TO LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW AND FOR THE NEW UPDATED LYRICS

The mezzo-soprano had been recording in a small church in Sussex this morning when she was contacted by the BBC and asked to make the historic broadcast.

Jenkins told World At One host Sarah Montague: “For us here in the church it made us think about what happened and also look to the future to think of what is ahead of us and what is ahead for the country. I think King Charles will make an absolutely fantastic king. 

“We all had a moment being silent and thinking about it… We all felt really, really emotional afterwards.”

Jenkins, of course, had sung for Queen Elizabeth many times, including the National Anthem, and had moving memories of the late queen: “(She was) Incredibly warm and informed. The more that I met her, I gained more respect for who she was, what she stood for and how she had faith at the centre of herself and her decision-making.” 

Jenkins added: “The more respect I gained for her, it made it harder to sing for her because it made me even more nervous.

“Of course this is an incredibly sad, heartbreaking time… I look back to singing for her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee at Windsor Castle. It was such an honour. Now when I look back, it is very poignant because that was the last time I sang for her. And of course, we sang God Save The Queen then.”

The experienced singer admitted we will all have to adjust to the new lyrics, but it will also make everyone think again about what they are actually singing: “You have to really think about the words. It makes you really present when you sing it now.”

Jenkins added that she had every faith the new updated version of the National Anthem would serve just as potently as ever to unite the nation.

She said: “It’s a great tune, it brings people together… It’s very patriotic. It’s lovely when you see people come together to be proud in this way when they sing it.”

LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW AND RECORDING OF GOD SAVE THE KING HERE (FROM 52.45)

source: express.co.uk