Katherine Jenkins is selected to sing the first recording of God Save The King

Katherine Jenins was selected to record the first recording of God Save The King by BBC Radio 4 on Friday from a rural church in Sussex.

The words of the British national anthem have changed from ‘Queen’ to ‘King’ in the wake of Queen Elizabeth II’s death on Thursday as her son King Charles III now assumes the throne. 

Katherine, 42, was in a small church in a remote area of Sussex recording when she received the call from the BBC. 

The opera singer had a moment of silence and prayer before recording the song, singing from the heart in this incredibly emotional time.  

The anthem closed the extended World at One programme on BBC Radio 4 on Friday afternoon.

Katherine has sang the national anthem many times and said she will always ‘cherish’ her memories of singing it for the Queen. 

She said: ‘I have only the fondest memories singing the national anthem for Her Majesty The Queen, memories I will always cherish. 

National anthem: The words of the British national anthem have changed from ‘Queen’ to ‘King’ in the wake of Queen Elizabeth II’s death on Thursday as her son King Charles III now assumes the throne

‘While my heart is heavy with grief; Singing this today, for the first time is a huge honour and was sung with the belief that King Charles III’s reign will be happy and glorious!’

Katherine penned a heartfelt tribute to the Queen on Thursday, writing on Instagram: ‘On this heartbreaking day, my thoughts, prayers and deepest condolences are with King Charles, the Royal family and with my fellow Brits & commonwealth members around the world.

‘Your Majesty, thank you for all you have given. You have been a selfless constant in our lives, knowing just what to say in our darkest hours. 

Katherine said: ‘Singing this today, for the first time is a huge honour and was sung with the belief that King Charles III’s reign will be happy and glorious!’

‘You inspired us with your dignity, your duty and your grace. I am proud to have lived during your reign, honoured to have sung for you and privileged to have known you. Rest in peace & rise in glory ma’am.’

The Queen’s son Charles, the former Prince of Wales, is now King Charles III, as the world grieves his mother, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.

All Her Majesty’s children had rushed to Balmoral on Thursday after doctors became ‘concerned’ for her health. Hours later she died, surrounded by her family.

At 6.30pm Thursday her death was confirmed. A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: ‘The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow’.

Heartbreaking: All Her Majesty’s children had rushed to Balmoral on Thursday after doctors became ‘concerned’ for her health. Hours later she died, surrounded by her family 

The Queen’s death will see Britain and her Commonwealth realms enter into a ten-day period of mourning as millions of her subjects in the UK and abroad come to terms with her passing.

As her son accedes to the throne, there will also be a celebration of her historic 70-year reign that saw her reach her Platinum Jubilee this year – a landmark unlikely to be reached again by a British monarch.

Charles, the King, said: ‘The death of my beloved mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.

‘We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished sovereign and a much-loved mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.

‘During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which the Queen was so widely held.’

Mourning: The Queen’s death will see Britain and her Commonwealth realms enter into a ten-day period of mourning as millions of her subjects in the UK and abroad come to terms with her passing