This is the moment the crowds outside Buckingham Palace began singing ‘God Save the King’ following Queen Elizabeth II’s death.
The beloved monarch died today at the age 96, the Royal Family announced to the world in a short statement on social media.
Hundreds of people had already gathered in central London in anticipation of the tragic news.
A video shows the crowd of teary faces singing the national anthem shortly after the announcement.
‘There was total silence outside Buckingham Palace as the news broke, and then the crowds broke into song: God Save the King,’ Anna Stewart wrote on Twitter.
For 70 years, British people knew the words of the royal anthem to be ‘God Save the Queen’.
Queen Elizabeth II dead: Key details
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has died after 70 years on the throne, with her death announced by Buckingham Palace on September 8, 2022.
She died at the age of 96 surrounded by her family at her home in Balmoral, including her son and heir to the throne Charles, the Prince of Wales, and her grandsons, the Duke Of Cambridge, Prince William and the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry.
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As the Queen’s oldest son, Prince Charles, now takes the throne, the lyrics will ultimately change.
Earlier this evening, the new prime minister also ended her tribute speech with ‘God save The King’.
Making an address outside Downing Street, Liz Truss, who has only been in her post since Monday, said the news were a ‘huge shock to the nation and the world’.
‘It’s an extraordinary achievement to have presided with such dignity and grace for 70 years,’ she said. ‘Her life of service stretched beyond most of our living memories.
‘In return she was loved and admired by the people in the United Kingdom and all around the world.’
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