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Those who tuned in to watch the Coronation of King Charles III may have been surprised to hear an instantly recognisable tune.
The historic ceremony, held in Westminster Abbey in central London, featured a full choir and classical music throughout.
But the Coronation Anthem, Zadok the Priest, is more widely known in its adapted form as the Champions League Anthem.
The original tune was written by German composer George Frideric Handel in 1727, ahead of the coronation of King George II.
It has been used at the coronation of every single British monarch since.
The song is traditionally sung just before the new sovereign is anointed, out of view, with holy oil.
And it was once again performed at King Charles and Queen Camilla’s coronation today.
Zadok the Priest lyrics
Zadok the priest
And Nathan the prophet
Anointed Solomon king
And all the people
Rejoiced, rejoiced, rejoiced
And all the people
Rejoiced, rejoiced, rejoiced
Rejoiced, rejoiced, rejoiced
And all the people
Rejoiced, rejoiced, rejoiced and said
God save the king
Long live the king
God save the king
May the king live forever
Amen, amen, alleluia, alleluia, amen, amen
Amen, amen, alleluia, amen
Champions League Anthem
They are the best teams
They are the best teams
The main event
The master
The best
The great teams
The champions
A big meeting
A great sporting event
The main event
The master
The best
The great teams
The champions
They are the best
They are the best
These are the champions
The master
The best
The champions
The Champions League Anthem was written in 1992 after Europe’s football competition between top-tier divisions was re-branded.
Coronation of King Charles III latest
Organiser Union of European Football Associations (Uefa) picked Zadok the Priest as the template piece which they felt would best fit the mood for the new Champions League.
Composer Tony Britten, who wrote the piece, told the BBC in 2020: ‘UEFA wanted this competition to be about the best of football, rather than the worst.
‘Some say the tune is nicked from Handel, but it’s not. It’s just the first writing string phrase, and the rest is me.’
But today, the real champions were Charles and Camilla who were crowned as His and Her Majesty – an event never seen before by the majority of the population.
Royal fans braved the weather to gather on The Mall and in nearby parks to cheer on the new sovereign and his queen.
Win VIP tickets to Frozen, luxury Afternoon Tea and tour of Theatre Royal Drury Lane in our Coronation competition
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The day out will include:
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