Here is why is the Champions League theme music being played at the King Charles III coronation
The Champions League music was played at the King Charles III Coronation on Saturday.
King Charles III was formally crowned on Saturday in Westminster Abbey after being publicly anointed.
During the occasion, a well-known piece of Champions League-era football-related music was played.
Why is the Champions League theme music being played at the King Charles III coronation
Is that the Champions league song 😭#Coronationpic.twitter.com/0P5Xiqp4vp
— Ryan.🕊️ (@6thiagoat) May 6, 2023
The music played before each Champions League game is among the most recognisable in sports history.
A rendition of “Zadok the Priest” without any lyrics was played at King Charles III’s coronation.
Celebrities and dignitaries are gathering on Westminster Abbey to attend the first occasion of this kind since 1953, when the late Queen Elizabeth II was crowned.
Spectacular scenes in London on #Coronation Day.
Travelling in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, accompanied by The Sovereign’s Escort of Household Cavalry, The King and The Queen have arrived at Westminster Abbey for the Coronation Service. pic.twitter.com/BDkklcj9pA
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) May 6, 2023
Why are the Royal Family using Zadok the Priest
When Handel composed Zadok the Priest in the 1700s, it was not initially intended to go with the Champions League!
Zadok the Priest has been performed at each coronation since it was written in 1727 to coincide with George II’s coronation.
Obviously, this is the first such occasion since the Champions League began, which is why there is a crossover
Is the music the same as the Champions League anthem?
Sort of.
The lyrics for “the champions,” which are not included in Handel’s original composition, were written by Tony Britten in 1992.
He told BBC in 2020:
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.”
As one might expect, the song will be performed at the King’s Coronation sans lyrics.
Has football been affected by the Coronation?
Yes. There are no games that clash with the event on Saturday because there are no early kickoffs in the UK.
Instead, there were four games scheduled to start at 3 p.m., including Manchester City’s game versus Leeds, which is being broadcast against custom. At 5:30 p.m., Liverpool took on Brentford at Anfield in another game.
The FA has ordered clubs to play the national song at all games to commemorate the event, much to the chagrin of the Reds, whose supporters had previously booed the anthem.