Proclamation - Royal Anthem

Overview

The C2022G01107 Act, enacted in 2022, addresses the transition of the national anthem to reflect the change in the reigning monarch's title from "Queen" to "King" upon the ascension of King Charles III. This proclamation was issued by General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret’d), the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council. The primary purpose of this legislation is to formally acknowledge and implement the change in the title of the national anthem to "God Save The King" in appropriate contexts, such as in the presence of the King or members of the Royal Family. The policy objective is to ensure that the national anthem accurately represents the current constitutional monarchy, thereby maintaining continuity and respect for the institution of the Crown.

Scope and Application

This proclamation, issued by the Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia, pertains to the renaming of the Royal Anthem from "God Save The Queen" to "God Save The King" in light of the ascension of His Majesty King Charles III to the throne. The change applies to the anthem's designation and use specifically in the presence of His Majesty The King or a member of the Royal Family. It does not extend to any other anthems or national symbols. The proclamation revokes the previous declaration from 1984, which had designated "God Save The Queen" as the Royal Anthem during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. This change in legislation is effective immediately and applies nationally, reflecting the updated protocol for the royal anthem in the Commonwealth of Australia. There are no exclusions or thresholds mentioned in the text, and the proclamation itself does not extend or restrict application through subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The Proclamation C2022G01107 establishes the anthem “God Save The King” as the Royal Anthem to be used in the presence of His Majesty The King or a member of the Royal Family, as per section (a). It also revokes the 1984 proclamation that designated “God Save The Queen” as the Royal Anthem, as mentioned in section (b). The Proclamation takes effect from the date it is signed and sealed, 27 October 2022. The primary aim of this legislative change is to update the national anthem to reflect the current sovereign, King Charles III, succeeding Queen Elizabeth II. This Act imposes specific obligations on those who are responsible for the playing or singing of the Royal Anthem during official events. It mandates that the anthem “God Save The King” must be used when His Majesty The King or a member of the Royal Family is present. The requirement is clear and applies to all occasions where the anthem is performed, ensuring that the correct version is used in formal settings. This obligation extends to all entities, including government agencies, military units, educational institutions, and any other organisations that may perform the anthem as part of official ceremonies or events. In the event of a breach of the provisions outlined in the Proclamation, there are no specific offences or penalties stated within the text. The Proclamation itself does not detail any enforcement mechanisms or sanctions for non-compliance. However, given its legislative nature, it is reasonable to infer that failure to adhere to the new requirements could lead to informal reprimands or requests for compliance from relevant authorities. It is important for those affected by this change to ensure they are aware of and comply with the updated protocol to avoid any potential repercussions.