Moment sports fans sing God Save the King for the first time in 70 years

Jimmy Nsubuga
Updated ·2 min read

Watch: God Save the King sung before third Test between England and South Africa

Cricket fans sang a new rendition of the national anthem as the third Test between England and South Africa resumed following the death of the Queen.

The event marked the first time God Save The King had been sung at a televised sporting event in 70 years.

All players and coaches wore black armbands while there was no branded advertising by the boundary edge at the Kia Oval in south London.

The lyrics to the national anthem were changed from “Queen” to “King” and “her victorious” to “him victorious” to mark that the King had taken over as the new monarch.

Read more: What are the lyrics to God Save the King?

Laura Wright sings the national anthems on day three of the third LV= Insurance Test match at the Kia Oval, London. Picture date: Saturday September 10, 2022. (Photo by John Walton/PA Images via Getty Images)
Laura Wright sings the national anthems at the Kia Oval. (Getty)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Players and officials line up for the National Anthem ahead of Day Three of the Third LV= Insurance Test Match between England and South Africa at The Kia Oval on September 10, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images for Surrey CCC)
It was the first time God Save the King was sung at a televised sporting event in 70 years. (Getty)

Read more: Pub pays tribute to the Queen by offering 6p pint

Friday’s play was called off as a mark of respect following Her Majesty's death on Thursday but the green light was given for all international, domestic and recreational cricket fixtures to go ahead from Saturday.

Laura Wright sang the national anthems of both South Africa and England.

There was also an impeccably observed minute’s silence followed by a one-bell chime from Senior NCO Robert Brockelsby Miller of the Irish Guards.

England captain Ben Stokes said on Sky Sports: “We know how much the Queen loved this sport, and the show must go on.

“I’m sure she’ll be looking down on all the sport that’s still going ahead over this weekend and that we’re going out there in her honour. I’m very pleased and proud we can do that.”

Tributes will be paid to the Queen at sporting events going ahead this weekend after football fixtures were postponed as a mark of respect.

Similar scenes are expected at Premiership Rugby fixtures and Super League games, while a two-minute silence was observed at 9.50am at the BMW PGA Championship golf tournament at Wentworth.