Fans have poked fun online after a hymn performed during King Charles III's coronation bore a striking resemblance to the Champions League theme.
During the ceremony, a familiar song began playing that left football fans on social media questioning whether they had just heard the famous anthem.
However, the song performed was not 'Champions League' but instead 'Zadok the Priest', a coronation anthem composed by George Frideric Handel in 1727 for the coronation of King George II.
As covered by Mail Sport earlier this week, the anthem that has become synonymous with European football was written by Tony Britten and took inspiration from the classic hymn.
But football fans couldn't help but take to social media during the ceremony to playfully poke fun at the similarity.
@AlexanderFoxEtc wrote: 'Zadok the Priest. You simply cannot beat Champions League fixtures like this in Westminster.'
@Virtualstatman added: 'And with that, King Charles III now qualifies automatically for next year’s UEFA Champions League'
@FPLReactions asked: 'Am I that obsessed with football I’m hearing the Champions League anthem during the coronation I think I’m losing it'
Meanwhile comedian Dara O'Briain joked: 'Tuned out for a while; now they are building a box to the Champions League music. Does Charles pop out the top?'
Rachel Wearmouth wrote: 'I'm sure a good chunk of the population only know this as the Champions League music'
Another user concurred: 'Swear I thought it was the champions league anthem'
Speaking with the BBC in 2020, Britten expanded on the origins of his work, and insisted that the similarity between his football anthem and the historic coronation hymn is isolated to the first string phrase.
'Some say the tune is nicked from Handel, but it's not,' he insisted. 'It's just the first writing string phrase, and the rest is me.'
baeakmoru
0
Best ever the only King 👑 of the world 🌎 CR7
ksiisthebest
0
Young generation sucks. Silly Cowards. Royals have been there. Its part of the human life. Don't disrespect your heritage. The British Royalties helped the English people to be well known. Remember the empire colonized and civilized many countries i know there were Astrocities involved. Im saying this as a Black Person. Sometimes realities must be pointed
ur funny most of the people in the England arnt even English plus wtf have they done but sit there and get away with thing eg the nonce Prince Andrew not in prison
wopcdlosty
2
Young generation sucks. Silly Cowards. Royals have been there. Its part of the human life. Don't disrespect your heritage. The British Royalties helped the English people to be well known. Remember the empire colonized and civilized many countries i know there were Astrocities involved. Im saying this as a Black Person. Sometimes realities must be pointed
mibcdimt
1
the monarchy must fall
[image]
pls save Chelsea zidane
TiyanjaneChalamwendo
1
the monarchy must fall
Vuucmopsty
4
give back the stolen diamond to south Africa..
Nuoadlmrsz
0
the only king 🤴 cr7
Fawelortyz
2
As soon as the hymn started I said to my wife " that is the Champions League anthem "
tutabkmu
0
the only king we know is King MESSI
mishaelmaik
0
I just wonder how this people disrespect the throne...it's their heritage but obviously if you check the disrespectful one they're kids that know nothing about these age-long thrones it's a pity.
incontrovertible
1
king Charles 3 during coronation