The first at home for the selection since the death of the queen Elizabeth II on September 8.

They weren’t wrong in the lyrics. After paying tribute to the queen since the beginning of their career, the players and the staff of the English selection (and the supporters) took up in chorus the first “God Save The King” played at Wembley for 70 years, Monday before the meeting Nations League between England and Germany (3-3) . It was the Three Lions’ first home game since the death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8. The English had sung the anthem which now pays allegiance to King Charles III, eldest son of Elizabeth, in Italy (1-0 defeat) last Friday.

But this is the first time they have done it in front of their audience in their mythical London enclosure. The new Wembley, completely renovated and inaugurated in 2007, had until then always played “God Save The Queen”. It was built on the ashes of the old stadium, which had been inaugurated in 1923, three years before the birth of the queen who ascended the throne in 1952 to succeed her father George VI.

A minute of silence perfectly respected

On Monday evening, the British anthem was performed by British artist Emily Haig. The FA had planned many tributes to the late queen with the publication of a program with a photo showing Elizabeth II presenting the 1966 World Cup trophy to then captain Bobby Moore. Harry Kane’s teammates wore black armbands. A minute of silence was also fully respected by the whole stadium, including the German supporters… who had seen their anthem whistled by a part of Wembley a few moments earlier.

Gareth Southgate, the England coach, had paid a beautiful tribute to the queen at the time of her disappearance. The former midfielder had met her in 2002 and was made an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) in 2019 by the current King Charles III. 

“I was proud to have her as my queen and to sing God Save the Queen before every game,”

He said. On Monday, he sang this time for his new king.

Source: Twitter

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