A staggering 83 per cent of the British public say they do not know the words to God Save The King beyond its first verse, according to research by Babbel.
And around 33 per cent of respondents think the ‘old-fashioned’ and ‘militaristic’ national anthem should be replaced, suggesting alternatives such as Land of Hope and Glory, Rule Britannia and even Oasis’s Wonderwall.
But it seems Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis (who celebrates his seventh birthday today) would not count themselves as part of either group.
After sitting through King Charles‘s two-hour long coronation ceremony on May 6, 2023, the younger Wales children confidently stood to sing the national anthem.
Mature beyond her years, Charlotte looked precious in an ivory Alexander McQueen dress and silver leaf headdress as she delivered a word-perfect rendition of the song.
Also belting out the patriotic tune was Louis, then five, who stood in a navy blue outfit from Savile row tailors Dege and Skinner alongside his parents the Prince and Princess of Wales.
But his version of the national anthem was not as flawless as his sister’s, as eagle-eyed fans spotted the moment he accidentally swapped out ‘King’ for ‘Queen’ in the first verse before correcting himself.
One royal fan tweeted, ‘Prince Louis sang Queen instead of King bless him’ as another wrote: ‘Prince Louis singing “God Save the Queen” has made my day. He’s back!’
Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte arrive for the coronation of King Charles on May 6, 2023
The Wales Family sit in the front row near the High Altar
Young Louis was quickly forgiven, however, as most other five-year-olds are just getting to grips with their alphabet let alone singing the national anthem on live television.
Behind the well-rehearsed Wales children, former rugby pro Mike Tindall was seen checking the words to God Save the King – as did Princess Beatrice’s husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.
‘Such a wonderful, historic coronation,’ someone wrote on X (then called Twitter). ‘Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte sang the national anthem and behaved perfectly during the service. A credit to their parents.’
‘Love Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte belting out the national anthem,’ another royalist tweeted.
A third added: ‘Prince Louis singing was EVERYTHING #soproudofhim’
Royal fans across the pond were equally as impressed, with one gushing: ‘I’m American and I teared up.’
Despite looking the part, the solemn ceremony elicited a yawn or two from Louis – who was also seen pointing things out to his sister Charlotte from their seats near the high altar.
Their older brother Prince George had a formal part to play in the event as Page of Honour to their grandfather King Charles
Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte impressed royal fans with their rendition of the national anthem
Charlotte wears an ivory Alexander McQueen dress and silver leaf headdress
Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis watch the ceremony from their seats
Many took to X to praise the youngsters for singing God Save the King so confidently
Dressed in a knee-length scarlet coat with gold trimmings over a white satin waistcoat, George, who is second in line to the throne, attended to the King with fellow pages Lord Oliver Cholmondeley, Nicholas Barclay and Ralph Tollemache.
It marked the first time in modern royal history that a future monarch was officially involved in the two-hour service.
While his grandfather King Charles and great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth II both attended their parents’ coronations in 1953 and 1937, respectively, as children, they merely watched the ceremony.
At Charles’s coronation, royal biographer Ingrid Seward told The Mirror that the Prince and Princess of Wales thought long and hard about allowing their eldest son, who is known to be ‘shy in public’, to take on such a vital role in the coronation.
‘After much discussion with him, they all agreed he would regret it if he didn’t do it,’ Ms Seward said.
‘It is his destiny after all to be part of many royal occasions in the future. And he will feel proud to be the youngest person taking part in the historic ceremony.’
Despite not having a formal role in the ceremony like her older brother, Charlotte was somewhat of a guiding presence for her younger sibling Louis.
Perhaps offering reassurance, or simply ensuring he walked in the right direction, Charlotte held Louis’s hand as they processed through the grand building behind their parents.
Prince George made history at King Charles’s coronation in his role as Page of Honour
It marked the first time in modern royal history that a future monarch was officially involved in the two-hour service
The Prince and Princess of Wales lock eyes on the Buckingham Palace balcony after the coronation
George stands with the other pages on the Buckingham Palace balcony
Prince Louis puts on an animated display after the two-hour long ceremony
As the red arrows roared across the sky, the little prince appeared to let out a shout of excitement
After the ceremony, Charlotte then dutifully took her place alongside George and Louis in the first carriage behind the Gold State Coach.
But the young princess seemed to lose control of her cheeky younger brother as the Royal Family stepped out on to the balcony at Buckingham Palace to greet the sea of fans below.
Louis impatiently drummed his fingers on the balcony railing before showing off his own version of the royal wave which has been dubbed ‘the window wiper’.
After pointing and making faces at the crowd, the young prince flung both hands around uncontrollably as his older sister waved gracefully.
When the red arrows finally roared across the sky, the little prince appeared to let out a shout of excitement.
He made sure to let his parents know that the planes had arrived, pointing excitedly towards the sky.
