by Alex David
clothes, travels up the Thames to mark the City liveries’
swans from the Queen’s Swans. In the past this was done by marking the swans’ beaks, but this is done now by placing ID rings on the birds’ legs. The original purpose of Swan Upping was to claim ownership of the swans for the purpose of eating them. Today the ceremony is used
mainly to check the health of the swans’ population in the Thames, though ownership is still marked. Monarchs or other members of the Royal Family do not usually attend Swan Upping however Elizabeth II attended the event in 2012, the first time in centuries that a monarch had done so.
The Cutting of the Christmas Glastonbury Thorn
December
Each year at the beginning of December a budding sprig from the Holy Thorn of Glastonbury, Somerset—a
hawthorn that legend says was planted by Joseph of
Arimathea—is cut in a small ceremony and sent to the monarch to adorn the royal table at Christmas time. The tradition started in the reign of James I when a sprig was sent to his wife, Anne of Denmark. The Glastonbury Holy Hawthorn variety is unusual in that after its usual blossoming in May it flowers a second time in December.
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The National Anthem:
God Save the Queen
The British National Anthem, God Save the Queen is the oldest complete national anthem in use in the world today. It is alternately known as God Save the King/God Save the Queen depending on the gender of the monarch on the throne at the time.
History
The origin of the music of God Save the Queen is shrouded in mystery. Some attribute it to a Dr John Bull (c.1563-1628) who might have written it in Antwerp in the early 17th century. Others say the music was written by French-Italian composer Jean-Baptiste Lully (1632-1687) for King Louis XIV of France in 1686. Others still say that, as with many other traditional tunes, it originated as a tavern drinking song.
The adoption of the song as the National Anthem arose during a time of national crisis, the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745. During the rebellion Charles Edward Stuart, the 481
exiled Stuart pretende known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, invaded Britain in the hope of capturing the throne, and in September 1745 he defeated the army of King George II at Prestopans, Scotland. Following this battle patriotic fervour swept across England, and it was in this
atmosphere that a tune called God Save the King began to be played in London theatres to rally the crowds.
Traditionally, the first airing is set to have occurred on 28
September 1745, one week after the Battle of
Prestopans, at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane, sung to an arrangement by Thomas Arne, the writer of Rule Britannia. Its success spread to other theatres and out into the streets, and soon the song was being
spontaneously sung whenever the King arrived to a public engagement, starting therefore a practice that survives to this day. The writer of the lyrics is unknown, and it is speculated that the words might have been written by players and writers working at Drury Lane and Covent Garden theatres in September 1745. When the first
published version of the lyrics appeared in The Gentleman’s Magazine in October 1745 it was credited
‘as sung at both playhouses’ in London.
As with many aspects of British tradition, there has never been a public proclamation or law making God Save the Queen the country’s National Anthem. Its adoption came through the spontaneous embrace of the London and
then British crowds in 1745 and in the years afterwards.
It is a song that was first chosen by the people, and that 482
only later became part of royal protocol and national tradition. The Jacobite Rebellion that served as the catalyst for the emergence of God Save the King was eventually defeated in April 1746 at the Battle of
Culloden.
Verses
Because the adoption of God Save the King as the National Anthem happened through spontaneous
popular use, there is no authorized version of its lyrics.
However the following three verses, originally published in 1745, have become standard over the centuries. Only the first and third verse are generally sung. The
references to the gender of the monarch change as
required.
Verse 1
God save our gracious King/Queen!
Long live our noble King/Queen!
God save the King/Queen!
Send him/her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us,
God save the King/Queen.
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Verse 2 (usually not sung)
O Lord our God arise,
Scatter his/her enemies,
And make them fall:
Confound their politics,
Frustrate their knavish tricks,
On Thee our hopes we fix:
God save us all.
Verse 3
Thy choicest gifts in store
On him/her be pleased to pour,
Long may he/she reign.
May he/she defend our laws,
And ever give us cause,
To sing with heart and voice,
God save the King/Queen.
Alternative or additional verses have occasionally been introduced into the Anthem, for example in 1746, 1800, 1836 and 1919, but they never gained permanent usage.
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Use
The National Anthem is played at the beginning or end of major public occasions including sporting competitions, military parades, political gatherings, and of course most royal events. On many of these occasions only the first verse is sung. On special occasions, like major royal ceremonies, both the first and third verses are sung. The National Anthem is normally also played when members of the Royal Family undertake official public
engagements. Monarchs and their consorts are saluted with the entire Anthem, while other members of the
Royal Family are saluted with only the first six bars (the first three lines of a verse). The first six bars are also played as the Vice Regal Salute for Governor-Generals in some Commonwealth Realms.
There is no proscribed way to stand or behave when the National Anthem is played, however a general practice has arisen for people to stand motionless with arms laid flat against the body, palm facing inward, and face staring forward. The monarch is expected to stand silently whilst the Anthem is played, and refrain from singing the song since the words are about himself/herself. Other
members of the Royal Family are expected to sing it.
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Other Uses
Over the last 200 years the success of God Save the King/Queen has prompted other countries to adopt its music, and create national anthems and patriotic songs of their own. National songs that have used its music
include:
Past uses:
Heil dir im Siegerkranz, the national anthem of Prussia from 1795 to 1871, and afterwards of Imperial Germany from 1871 to 1918.
Molitva Russkikh, the first national anthem of Russia used between 1816 and 1833.
Bevare Gud vår Kung, the national anthem of Sweden used between 1805 and 1893.
Rufst Du, Mein Vaterland, the national anthem of Switzerland used between the 1850s and 1961.
Eldgamla Ísafold, Iceland’s unofficial national anthem during the 19th century.
E Ola Ke Alii Ke Akua the national anthem of independent Hawaii between 1860 and 1866.
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Current uses:
Kongesangen, the Royal Anthem of Norway, adopted in 1906 and still sung at royal occasions.
Oben Am Jungen Rhein, the current national anthem of Liechtenstein, adopted in 1920.
My Country, ‘Tis of Thee, an American patriotic song with lyrics written in 1831.
God Save the Queen also remains the Royal Anthem played Governor Generals in Commonwealth realms.
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The Royal Residences
The monarchy of the
United Kingdom possesses today
more royal residences than any other European
monarchy. These royal residences are used by the
monarch and members of the Royal Family both as
homes and to carry out functions associated with the monarchy. A list of these properties follows below, divided in the following categories:
Current State Residences: state-owned palaces and houses that are currently used by the monarch and
other members of the Royal Family.
Current Private Residences: properties that are owned privately by the monarch and other members
of the Royal Family, and are currently being used.
Historic Residences: palaces, castles and houses that were royal residences in the past and remain Crown
properties today, but that are no longer inhabited by the Royal Family.
Lost Residences: palaces, castles and houses that were royal residences in the past, but that have
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disappeared today, either completely or with very
few structures surviving.
CURRENT STATE RESIDENCES
State residences are palaces and houses that are owned by the state via the Crown. They are used as official residences for members of the Royal Family as well as for state functions and official ceremonial. They also often house offices of the Royal Household. They include the following residences.
Buckingham Palace, London
The Principal Residence of the Monarch in London, and
Headquarters of the Monarchy.
History: An original smaller palace, known as Buckingham House, stood on the site in the 18th century.
It was bought by George III for his growing family in 1761
and given as a residence to his wife Queen Charlotte. The present palace was built by George IV in the 1820s-1830s and was first used as a residence by Queen Victoria in 1837. The iconic balcony was installed by Victoria in the 1850s, and the present façade added in 1913 by George 489
V. The palace was slightly damaged during World War II, and the Chapel that was destroyed during bombing was later turned into the Queen’s Gallery, showcasing
artworks from the Royal Collection to the public.
Buckingham Palace has served as the focus of national celebrations for the last 100 years, including the end of the First and Second World Wars. The state rooms were first opened to the public in 1993.
Uses: The Palace is world-known as the official residence of the British monarch, and is the London residence of other members of the Royal Family. It is the venue for state visits, investitures, functions, audiences and garden parties. It continues to serve as the focus of national celebrations including royal weddings and jubilees.
Visiting: The State rooms are open between July and September. The Queen’s Gallery and Royal Mews
annexes are open all year round.
St James’s Palace, London
The Official Senior Palace of the Monarchy
History: Built by Henry VIII in the 1530s on the site of a previous leper hospital from which it takes its name, St James’s Palace was originally conceived as a leisure palace where Tudors and Stuarts could relax informally away from Whitehall (see Lost Palaces below). It was the birthplace of several Stuart monarchs in the 17th century, 490
and the official court palace of the monarchy between the 1690s and 1830s. Its Chapel Royal has been the site of many weddings and christening over the last 300
years, including the weddings of George IV, Queen
Victoria and George V.
Uses: As the oldest London royal residence still in use, St James’s Palace is considered the official site of the royal court: foreign ambassadors are still accredited to the Court of St James’s. The palace serves as administrative centre of the British monarchy and contains offices of the Royal Household. It is the venue of occasional state functions, and religious ceremonies are held in the Chapel Royal. The accession proclamations of new
sovereigns to the public are made from the Proclamation Gallery overlooking Friary Court.
Visiting: The palace is not open to the public. The Chapel Royal is open to the public for religious services at certain times during the year.
Clarence House, London
Official Residence of the Prince of Wales
History: Built in the 1820s as a wing of St James’ Palace, Clarence House was first used as a residence by William, Duke of Clarence, later King William IV, from whom the House takes its name. After his death in 1837 it was in turn a residence for Queen Victoria’s mother, two of 491
Victoria’s sons (Prince Alfred and Prince Arthur), and Princess Elizabeth in 1950-1952 before her accession as Queen Elizabeth II. Thereafter, it famously became the residence for 50 years of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, who received well-wishers by the entrance gates every year on 4 August for her birthday.
Uses: Currently the official London residence of the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, it also houses offices of the Prince of Wales’ household. It is often used by the Prince for receptions and social functions.
Visiting: The House is open during August for guided tours.
Kensington Palace, London
Official residence of the Duke and Duchess of
Cambridge, and Prince Harry.
History: The palace was first bought and expanded by William III & Mary II in the 1690s and became the main London residence of monarchs from then until the 1760s.
It was the childhood home of Queen Victoria and
subsequently the residence of many royal family
members until the 20th century. More recently, it was the official residence of Princess Margaret until 2002, of Prince Charles and Diana in the 1980s-1990s, and the principal mourning site for the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1997.
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Uses: The Palace is divided in two areas. The historic state apartments are open to the public as a visitor attraction. The private apartments serve as the official London residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, and other royals. The palace also holds offices of different royal households, and is the site of receptions and functions.
Visiting: The historic state apartments are managed by Historic Royal Palaces and are open to visitors all year round. The private royal residences and offices are not open to the public.
Windsor Castle, Berkshire
The Oldest Continuously Occupied Royal Residence
History: The largest occupied castle in the world, Windsor Castle was originally built by William the
Conqueror in the 1060s and later greatly expanded by Edward III in the 14th century. Edward founded the Order of the Garter there, and Edward IV, Henry VII and Henry VIII built St George’s Chapel between the 1470s and 1540s. After the English Civil War the royal apartments were rebuilt by Charles II, and later George IV rebuilt and embellished the entire castle in the early 19th century.
The castle was the site of George III’s final 10-year confinement for madness, and the place where Prince Albert died in 1861. During the late 19th century it was 493
the birthplace of many descendants of Queen Victoria and a gathering place for Europe’s royal families. George V renamed the current royal dynasty after the castle in 1917. Part of the complex was destroyed by a large fire in 1992 and subsequently rebuilt. The castle and
surrounding grounds have hosted the burial places of the Royal Family since 1810.
Uses: Currently the main weekend retreat of Queen Elizabeth II when she is in London, Windsor Castle is also used as her principal residence for a month around Easter and during Ascot Week in June. It is the site of the yearly ceremonies for the Order of the Garter, and an
occasional venue for state visits, investitures and receptions. The Round Tower holds the Royal Archives, and the private royal apartments house the Royal Library.
St George’s Chapel is used for royal weddings and
funerals, and the Fro
gmore Burial Grounds in Windsor Home Park are currently being used for royal family burials. The parkland surrounding the Castle contains other smaller royal residences including Frogmore House and Royal Lodge. Fort Belvedere and Cumberland Lodge, former royal residences still owned by the Crown, are currently being leased to tenants for other uses.
Visiting: The Castle’s precincts and State rooms are open to visitors throughout the year. St George’s Chapel is open on most days to visitors, and on Sundays for
services. Frogmore House and the Frogmore Burial
Grounds are open to visitors on a few selected days during the year. The private royal apartments in the 494
Castle and other private lodgings in the park are not open to the public.
Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland
Official Residence of the Monarch in Scotland
History: Originally the site of an Abbey, the buildings began to be used by Scottish monarchs in the 14th
