London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Monday, Jun 30, 2025

In dramatic U-turn after public anger, BBC says patriotic anthems WILL be sung at Proms but by ‘select singers’

In dramatic U-turn after public anger, BBC says patriotic anthems WILL be sung at Proms but by ‘select singers’

Anthems ‘Rule Britannia!’ and ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ will still be sung at this year’s edition of BBC Proms, the broadcaster revealed after it faced an avalanche of criticism over the decision to play them without lyrics.
The BBC previously made headlines nationwide after it announced the two anthems – which historically caused controversy because of their perceived association with colonialism and slavery – will feature as “new orchestral versions” in the 2020 concert.

The decision was explained by the existing coronavirus restrictions as chorus singers couldn’t be safely gathered at the Royal Albert Hall, where the Last Night of the Proms takes place annually.

The Proms are among the oldest yearly performances of classical music in the UK, culminating with the Last Night, a concert leaning toward popular numbers. An unwavering feature of this part are the British national anthem and other patriotic songs.

Some previous media reports suggested the traditional songs would be possibly dropped as organizers felt the lyrics of ‘Rule Britannia!’ and ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ would be an affront to Black Lives Matter protests spreading in both America and Europe.

Conservative voices – among them 10 Downing Street and prominent government figures – met the news with shock and outrage. On social media, viewers and observers accused the broadcaster of being utterly out of touch with millions of license-fee paying Britons.

On Wednesday, the BBC made a remarkable change of mind, saying “we have been looking hard at what else might be possible and we have a solution.”

Both pieces will be performed by “a select group of BBC singers.” This would mean the words “will be sung in the hall, and as we have always made clear,” it said in an announcement, inviting audiences to “sing along at home.“
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
Russian Shadow Payments via Cryptocurrency Reach $9 Billion
Explosions Rock Doha as Iranian Missiles Target Qatar
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
Macron and Merz: Europe must arm itself in an unstable world
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Airlines Evaluate Flight Cancellations Amid Escalating US-Iran Tensions
Starmer Invites Innovators to Join Government Talent Scheme
UK Economy’s Strong Opening Quarter Shows Signs of Cooling
Harrods Seeks Court Order to Secure Al Fayed Estate for Victims
BA and Singapore Airlines Cancel Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base Over Iran Strikes
Meta Bets $14 B on Alexandr Wang to Drive AI Ambitions
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
FedEx Founder Fred Smith, ‘Heart and Soul’ of the Company, Dies at 80
Chinese Factories Shift Away from U.S. Amid Trump‑Era Tariffs
Pimco Seizes Opportunity in Japan’s Dislocated Bond Market
×