“Vitat Rex” (i.e. “Long Live the King”) will be chanted by students at a school near Westminster when he is crowned. King Charles next month and thus be the first to officially declare him the new monarch, as he has been for over three centuries.

In particular, 48 pupils at the prestigious private Westminster School spent months rehearsing for an important event that will take place on May 6, a tradition dating back to at least 1685.

“I think all my friends are happy for me,” says 14-year-old Mohnishan from the US.

“I don’t think they would have thought that a boy from Kentucky, USA would come all this way to take part in such an important event. I think they will be impressed with what will happen,” he added.

The tradition for students – boys and girls aged 13 to 18 who have received academic awards – to take part in the enthronement in this way was first recorded at the coronation of James II in England, so the ceremony will take place next month, on the 14th. in which students will play a role.

In 1902, their applause while singing “Vivat Rex” was incorporated by the composer Hubert Parry into his anthem “I Was Glad”, which was used at the coronation of all monarchs since Edward VII.

“It’s an impressive preparation because the students at the King’s School of Westminster School are not choristers in the formal sense, they are students at the school,” says Tim Garrard, director of the school’s choir.

^{According to Reuters, APE-MEB}