Theanthem for a person, office or rank is music played on formal or ceremonial occasions in the presence of the person, office-holder, or rank-holder, especially by amilitary band. Thehead of state in many countries is honored with a prescribed piece of music; in some countries thenational anthem serves this purpose, while others have a separateroyal,presidential, or, historically,imperial anthem. Other officials may also have anthems, such as thevice-regal salute in severalCommonwealth realms for thegovernor-general, governor, or lieutenant governor.Ruffles and flourishes may be played instead of, or preceding, such an anthem.
Countries where the national anthem is also the royal anthem includeMalaysia,[1] and theNetherlands.[2]
Other examples include the following:
| Country/Organization | Office/rank | Music | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | President | "Marcha de Ituzaingó" | Presidential march[3] |
| Armenia | President | "Presidential Fanfare" | |
| Australia | Monarch | "God Save the King"[4] | |
| Otherroyal family members | "God Save the King" | First six bars only.[citation needed] | |
| Governor-general,governors | Vice-regal salute[4] | The first and last four bars of "Advance Australia Fair", the national anthem.[4] Before 1984, the royal salute was the first six bars of "God Save the King". | |
| The Bahamas | Monarch | "God Save the King" | |
| Otherroyal family members | "God Save the King" | ||
| Governor-general | Vice-regal salute | The playing of "March On, Bahamaland", the national anthem. Prior to 1973, the royal salute was the first six bars of "God Save the King". | |
| Brazil | President | "Continências ao Presidente da República" | Introduction and final chords of the "Brazilian National Anthem". Only applicable at military ceremonies.[5] |
| Brunei | Members of the Royal Family | "Vice-regal salute" | Opening and closing chords of ''Allah Peliharakan Sultan", the national anthem. (Full anthem only played in the Sultan's presence). |
| Canada | Monarch,consort | "God Save the King"[6] | For apipe band, "Mallorca" is played instead. |
| Otherroyal family members | The first six bars of "God Save the King"[6] | For a pipe band, "Mallorca" is played instead. | |
| Governor general,lieutenant governors | "Salute to the Governor General/Lieutenant Governor", commonly called theVice Regal Salute | The first six bars of "God Save the King" immediately followed by the first four and last four bars of "O Canada", the national anthem. For apipe band, a combination of "Mallorca" and "O Canada" is played instead.[6] Before 1968, theVice Regal Salute was simply a royal salute first six bars of "God Save the King". | |
| High-rankingCanadian Forces personnel | "General Salute" | Played to render honours to high ranking personnel. | |
| China | President | "欢迎进行曲" (Welcome March) | Played as a welcoming signal for the president and thePolitburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party. |
| Colombia | President | "Honores al Presidente de la Republica" (Presidential Salute) | Bugle fanfare by theCorps of drums then followed by the: 1. Introduction and chorus of the "National Anthem of Colombia" 2. Introduction from the hymn of theNational Army of Colombia 3. Introduction from the hymn of theColombian Navy 4. Introduction from the hymn of theColombian Air Force 5. First bars of the hymn of theNational Police of Colombia, all by amilitary band If the president attends an event hosted by only either of the three service branches of theMilitary Forces of Colombia or the National Police, the introduction and chorus of the National Anthem are played first followed by the introduction of the specific service anthem. |
| Czech Republic | President | "Fanfáry z Libuše" | Fanfares from overture of the operaLibuše |
| Denmark | Monarch | "Kong Christian stod ved højen mast" | "King Christian stood by the lofty mast". Also one of the two national anthems, the other being "Der er et yndigt land". |
| Ecuador | President | "Honores al Presidente de la Republica" (Presidential Salute) "Marcha Presidential" (Presidential March) | 1. In theArmy,Air Force and Police, a bugle fanfare followed by the chorus of "Salve, Oh Patria"[7] 2. In theNavy, four long blasts of theboatswain's call then the rest as above 3. Played at the arrival of the president in military events, once the arrival honors have been received. |
| Vice president | "Honores al Vicepresidente de la Republica" (Vice-presidential Salute) "Cancion patria" (Fatherland Song) | 1. In the Army, Air Force and Police, a bugle fanfare followed by the chorus of "Salve, Oh Patria" 2. In the Navy, four long blasts of theboatswain's call then the rest as above 3. Played at the arrival of the vice president, once the arrival honors have been received. | |
| Estonia | President | "Pidulik marss" ("Solemn March", or Presidential March) | In 1922, "Pidulik marss" won the contest for Estonian-composed state march. On 27 January 1923, it was adopted by the then-Minister of WarJaan Soots as the honorary march of thestate elder of Estonia (later known as the president of the Republic of Estonia), thus replacing the "Porilaste marss" which was previously used in its place.[8][9][10] |
| Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces and commander-in-chief of theEstonian Defence Forces | "Porilaste marss" was the honorary march of the state elder of Estonia until 27 January 1923 when it was replaced by the "Pidulik marss". | "March of thePori Regiment"/"March of the Björneborgers". The tune was first publicly performed in Estonia at the 7thEstonian Song Festival in 1910, a handful of years before the declaration of independence.[11] | |
| FIFA | President | Abridged version of theFIFA Anthem | |
| Finland | Commander-in-chief of theFinnish Defence Forces (normally thepresident) | "Björneborgarnas marsch" ("Porilaisten marssi") | "March of thePori Regiment"/"March of the Björneborgers" |
| France | President | "Chant du départ" | First used in 1974.[12] |
| Grenada | Monarch and other royal family members | "God Save the King"[13] | |
| Governor-general | "Vice-regal Salute" | The playing of "Hail Grenada", the national anthem. | |
| Guatemala | President | "La Granadera" | |
| Haiti | President | "Quand nos Aïeux brisèrent leurs entraves" (Chant Nationale) | "When Our Fathers Broke Their Chains" (also known as the National Hymn). Poem byOswald Durand, set to music byOccide Jeanty in 1893 to serve as a national anthem; replaced by "La Dessalinienne" in 1904.[14] |
| Indonesia | Commander-in-chief of theIndonesian National Armed Forces (normally thepresident) | "Mars TNI" (Indonesian National Armed Forces March) | The song was composed by Addie Muljadi Sumaatmadja, who also wrote the lyrics in collaboration with the TNI Headquarters Music Corps Team. Played at the arrival of the president in military events. |
| Army | "Kartika Eka Paksi" | Played at the arrival of the president in Army events. | |
| Air Force | "Swa Bhuwana Paksa" | Played at the arrival of the president in Air Force events. | |
| Navy | "Jalesveva Jayamahe" | Played at the arrival of the president in Naval events. | |
| International Olympic Committee | President | Abridged version of theOlympic Hymn | |
| Iran | Supreme Leader | "We are armed with Allahu Akbar" | First adopted in 1979. |
| Ireland | President | "Presidential Salute" | The first four and last five bars of "Amhrán na bhFiann", the national anthem.[15] |
| Taoiseach | "Mór Chluana" / "Amhrán Dóchais" | "Mór Chluana" ("More ofCloyne") is a traditional air collected byPatrick Weston Joyce in 1873.[16][17] "Amhrán Dóchais" ("Song of Hope") is a poem written byOsborn Bergin in 1913 and set to the air.[17][18]John A. Costello chose the air as his salute.[18] Though the salute is often called "Amhrán Dóchais",Brian Ó Cuív argues "Mór Chluana" is the correct title.[18][19] | |
| Italy | President (unofficial) | "S'hymnu sardu nationale" ("Inno Sardo Nazionale")(1991-1992) | Performed only twice in 1991 and 1992 in formal occasions during the presidency of SardinianFrancesco Cossiga.[20][21] |
| North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) | Supreme leader | "Song of Happiness for the Leader" | Played during the arrival and departure of the supreme leader. |
| South Korea (Republic of Korea) | General-rank officer | "Star March" | Abridged version |
| Ministers of state | "Rose of Sharon" | ||
| President | "Phoenix Hymn" | Modified version of "Star March", played during military parades attended by the president | |
| Kyrgyzstan | President | "National Anthem of the Kyrgyz Republic" | Consisting of the original three verses. |
| Luxembourg | Monarch | "De Wilhelmus" | A variant of "Wilhelmus", the national and royal anthem of theNetherlands |
| Malaysia | Raja Permaisuri Agong;Yang di-Pertua Negeri | Abridged version ofthe national anthem | Consisting of first and last sections.[1] Played before the relevantstate's anthem[1] if the salute is for theYang di-Pertua Negeri. |
| State monarchs | Short version of "Negaraku" (the national anthem) | Consisting of last section. Played after the relevantstate's anthem. Only may be played if the state monarch present representing theking.[1] | |
| Mauritania | President | "Presidential Hymn of Mauritania" | Poem by Baba Ould Cheikh in the late 18th century and composed byTolia Nikiprowetzky in 1960 to serve as a national anthem; replaced by "Bilāda l-ʾubāti l-hudāti l-kirām" in 2017. |
| Montenegro | President | "Abridged version ofOj, svijetla majska zoro" | Firststanza only. |
| Netherlands | Members of theroyal house;governor of Aruba;governor of Curaçao andgovernor of Sint Maarten | "Wilhelmus" | The national anthem.[2] |
| Various officials not entitled to "Wilhelmus".[fn 1] | "De Jonge Prins van Friesland"[2] | Ministers used the national anthem untilQueen Beatrix objected in 1986.[22] | |
| New Zealand | Monarch | "God Save the King"[23] | Also one of two national anthems, the other being "God Defend New Zealand".[23] |
| Governor-General | "Salute to the Governor-General" | The first six bars of "God Save the King".,[24] recently also followed by the first and last four bars of "God Defend New Zealand".[25] "God Save the King" may also be played in full.[23] | |
| Norway | Monarch | "Kongesangen" | "The King's Song"; an adaptation of "God Save the King" and set to the same tune. |
| Pakistan | President | Qaumi Taranah | Anthem is played in full.[26] |
| Philippines | President | "Mabuhay"[27] ("We Say Mabuhay")[28](Presidential march) | The wordmabuhay means "long live". The song, with music byTirso Cruz, Sr and English lyrics by American James King Steele, was writtenc. 1935–40.[28] Played to announce the arrival of the president during major events, minus the four ruffles and flourishes. |
| "Honorable Salute to the President" (Marangál na Parangál sa Pangulo) (Presidential salute music) | An older version, adopted in 1999 (composed by Jong Cuenco and introduced during the tenure of then-PresidentJoseph Estrada), was played until 2010 and was readopted in 2022 by PresidentBongbong Marcos[29] A new version (with lyrics in Filipino, composed by former PSG Band Conductor Maj. Xavier Celestal) debuted in 2011 and was until 2022 (played during the Presidential Security Group change of command ceremony, PCG's anniversary attended by President Marcos in 2022, and the 44th Philippine National Police Academy Commencement Exercises in 2023) used in all events of theArmed Forces of the Philippines, thePhilippine National Police and thePhilippine Coast Guard when the president is present. It is preceded by four ruffles and flourishes, and is often performed with a 21-gun salute (military events only). | ||
| Government | "Bagong Pilipinas Hymn" (translation: New Philippines Hymn) | On June 4, 2024, Executive SecretaryLucas Bersamin signedMemorandum Circular No. 52, which directed government agencies and schools to include the singing of the “Bagong Pilipinas” hymn and the recitation of the “Panata sa Bagong Pilipinas” pledge in weekly flag ceremonies, as required by Section 18 of Republic Act No. 8491. The “Bagong Pilipinas” hymn, whichbegins with the wordsPanahon na ng pagbabago (“It is time for change”), is a patriotic and nationalistic anthem, bearing a resemblance to theBagong Pagsilang from the administration of former PresidentFerdinand Marcos Sr. The circular further directed thePresidential Communications Group to implement the circular. | |
| Poland | President | "Sygnał prezydencki"[30] | Played in the presence of the president when the presidential ensign is raised in major events. |
| Portugal | President | "A Portuguesa" | The national anthem. Additionally, a short version can be played. |
| President of the Assembly of the Republic Prime Minister Ministers and Secretaries of State | "Hino da Maria da Fonte"[31] | ||
| Romania | President | "Marș triumfal"[32] | Played in the presence of the president in state events and during state visits by foreign high officials. |
| Russia | President | "Glory" (A Life for the Tsar) | Played during the inauguration of the president. |
| "Президентская Фанфара" ("Presidential Fanfare") | Played as a welcoming signal for the president. | ||
| Serbia | President | "Abridged version ofBože pravde" | First half of the first stanza and last two parts of the second stanza only. |
| Singapore | President | "Abridged version ofMajulah Singapura" | First six bars only, played during state visits by foreign heads of state.[33] During major national events, the anthem is played in full. |
| Slovenia | Commander-in-chief of theSlovenian Armed Forces (normally thepresident) | "Naprej, zastava slave" | "Forward, Flag of Glory" |
| Spain | Monarch | "Marcha Real" | |
| Princess of Asturias | Short version of "Marcha Real" | Played without the repeated bars. | |
| Sweden | Monarch | "Kungssången" | "The King's Song" |
| Switzerland | Members of thefederal council | "Rufst du, mein Vaterland" | |
| Chancellor | "Rufst du, mein Vaterland" | ||
| Various officials | "Rufst du, mein Vaterland" | First six bars only. | |
| Thailand | Monarch | "Sansoen Phra Barami"[34] | "The song of glorifying His Majesty's prestige". Former national anthem, still played before shows in cinemas and theatres and during all major events when the king and queen are present. also performed for:
|
| King | "Sadudee Jom Racha" | "Hymn to the Righteous King". Used for the ceremonies related to KingVajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida.[35] | |
| Other members of theroyal family | "Maha Chai" | "Grand Victory". It may be also used for theRegent of Thailand and Thai military officers who held the rank offield marshal of the Royal Thai Army,admiral of the fleet of the Royal Thai Navy and/ormarshal of the Royal Thai Air Force.[36][37][failed verification] | |
| Other situations | "Maha Roek" | "Grand Auspice". Mainly used for the arrival of senior government officials and for inaugurations. It is also used as the General Salute Music of theRoyal Thai Armed Forces.[38] | |
| United States | President | "Hail to the Chief"[39] | Short or long version may be played depending on the event |
| Vice president | "Hail Columbia"[39] | First 8 and last 4 bars | |
| Various officials[fn 2] | "Honors March 1"[39] | 32-bar medley of "Stars and Stripes Forever"[39] | |
| Army,Air Force, andSpace Force general officers | "General's March"[39] | Also listed in AR 600-25 as "Honors March 2" | |
| Navy flag officers | "Admiral's March"[39] | Also listed in AR 600-25 as "Honors March 3" | |
| Navy andCoast Guard admirals andMarine Corps generals | "Flag Officer's March"[39] | Also listed in AR 600-25 as "Honors March 4" | |
| United Kingdom | Monarch | "God Save The King" | The entire anthem is performed.[40] Prince of Wales and those ranking below only receive a short version with the first eight bars of the anthem, otherwise anthem is played in full. |
| Venezuela | President | "Hymn to the Liberator Simon Bolivar" (Himno a Bolivar), (military band only),[41] "Gloria al Bravo Pueblo" (short version or full version, for military band only), "National Salute March" (Marcha Regular) (forCorps of drums only) | 1. Presidential march, played during the arrival of the president during major events 2. National anthem, chorus, first verse and chorus only during all events, can also be played in full or using the chorus only 3. Played during military ceremonies if a Corps of Drums is in attendance,[42] also played as Salute March of theFlag of Venezuela if the national anthem is not used, can also be played by a military band as well if possible. |
| Country | Office | Anthem | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingdom of Afghanistan | King of Afghanistan | "Shahe ghajur-o-mehrabane ma" ("Our Brave and Dear King") | Used from 1943 until the abolition of the monarchy in 1973. |
| Principality of Albania/Kingdom of Albania | Monarch | "Himni i Flamurit" ("Hymn to the Flag") | The royal anthem until the abolition of themonarchy in 1943, now the national anthem. |
| Austrian Empire/Austria-Hungary | Monarch | "Gott erhalte Franz den Kaiser" ("God SaveEmperor Francis") | Used with updated words for later emperors until the abolition of the monarchy in 1918. |
| Kingdom of Bavaria | King of Bavaria |
| Used until the 1830s when getting replaced by theBayernhymne. |
| Empire of Brazil | Monarch | "Hino da Independência" ("Hymn of Independence") | Used between 1822 and 1831. The current national anthem was used for the rest of the empire's existence. |
| Kingdom of Bulgaria | King of Bulgaria | "Anthem of His Majesty the Tsar" | Royal anthem until 1944. |
| Qing dynasty | Emperor of China |
| |
| Empire of China (1915–16) | EmperorYuan Shikai | "Zhong guo xiong li yu zhou jian" ("中國雄立宇宙間"; "China Heroically Stands in the Universe") | |
| Ethiopian Empire | House of Solomon | "Ityopp'ya Hoy" ("Ethiopia be happy") | |
| Kingdom of Egypt | Muhammad Ali Dynasty | "Salam Affandina" ("Royal Anthem of Egypt") | |
| Kingdom of France (c. 1590–1789 & 1815–48) | King of France and Navarre | "Marche Henri IV" ("Henry IV March") | "Vive la France, Vive le roi Henri" until 1789, "Vive le princes, et le bon roi Louis" after 1815 |
| Kingdom of France (1791–92) | King of France and Navarre | "La Nation, la Loi, le Roi" ("The Nation, the Law, the King") | |
| First French Empire (1804–15) | Napoleon I,Napoleon II | "Chant du départ" ("Song of the Departure") | "Chant du départ" until 1815, now the presidential anthem |
| Second French Empire (1852–70) | Napoleon III | "Partant pour la Syrie" ("Departing for Syria") | |
| German Empire | Emperor | "Heil dir im Siegerkranz" ("Hail to Thee in the Victor's Crown") | |
| Nazi Germany | Führer | "Badonviller Marsch" ("Badonviller March") | |
| Kingdom of Greece | Monarch | "Ὕμνος εἰς τὴν Ἐλευθερίαν" ("Hymn to Liberty") | The royal anthem untilthe abolition of the monarchy in 1974, now the national anthem. |
| Kingdom of Hawaii | Monarch |
| |
| British Hong Kong | Monarch,Governor of Hong Kong | God Save the King (first stanza only)[43] | |
| Iran (Qajar) | Shah | "Salamati-ye Shah" ("Health of the Shah") | |
| Iran (Pahlavi) | Shah | "Sorood-e Shahanshahi Iran" ("Imperial Salute of Iran") | |
| Kingdom of Iraq | Monarch | "Es Salam al-Malaky" ("The Royal Salute") | |
| Irish Free State | Governor-General | "The Soldier's Song" (1929–32); none (1932–36) | Monarchy in the Irish Free State was a requirement of theAnglo-Irish Treaty resented bynationalists. Whileunionists felt that "God Save the King" was appropriate anthem for the king's Irish representative, the1927–32 government decreed that the governor-general should leave any function at which it was played.[44] The1933–37 government eliminated all ceremonial honours before abolishing the position entirely.[45] |
| Kingdom of Italy | King of Italy | "S'hymnu sardu nationale" ("Inno Sardo Nazionale") | Glorifies the prince/king. Also known as "Cunservet Deus su Re" ("God Save the King"). Originally adopted in the 1830s as the royal anthem of theKingdom of Sardinia (1720–1861) and later used alongside theMarcia Reale until 1937. Officially lost its status withthe abolition of the monarchy in 1946. |
| Korean Empire | Emperor of Korea | "Daehan Jeguk Aegukga" ("대한 제국 애국가"; "Patriotic Song of the Korean Empire") | |
| Kingdom of Laos | King of Laos | "Pheng Xat Lao" | An earlier version of the current national anthem. |
| Kingdom of Libya | KingIdris | "Libya, Libya, Libya" | This anthem was readopted by theNational Transitional Council in 2011, as the national anthem, with the verse glorifying King Idris omitted. |
| Kingdom of Madagascar | King of Madagascar | "Andriamanitra ô" ("O Lord") | Glorifies the Malagasy sovereign. |
| Principality of Montenegro/Kingdom of Montenegro | Monarch | "Ubavoj nam Crnoj Gori" ("To our Beautiful Montenegro") | Glorifies the prince/king. |
| Kingdom of Nepal | King of Nepal | "Rastriya Gaan" ("May Glory Crown our Illustrious Sovereign") | Used between 1962 and 2006. |
| Ottoman Empire | Sultan |
| From the nineteenth century, a newimperial anthem was usually composed for eachsultan. |
| Kingdom of Portugal | King of Portugal | "O Hino da Carta" ("Hymn to the Charter") | Used from 1834 untilthe abolition of the monarchy in 1910. |
| Prussia/German Empire | King of Prussia/German Emperor | "Heil dir im Siegerkranz" ("Hail to Thee in Victor's Crown") | |
| Kingdom of Romania | King of Romania | "Trăiască Regele" ("Long Live the King") | |
| Russian Empire | Emperor of Russia | "Боже, Царя храни" ("God Save The Tsar!") | The national anthem until theabolition of monarchy—still used by some descendants ofwhite émigrés. |
| Principality of Serbia/Kingdom of Serbia | Monarch | "Bože pravde" ("Lord of Justice") | An earlier version of the current national anthem glorifying the prince/king. |
| Siam | King of Siam |
| AfterwardSansoen Phra Barami changed status for Royal Salute Anthem ever sincechange of rule for democratic form of government with the king as head of state in 1932, which the state changed to use thenew national anthem as a replacement. |
| Union of South Africa | Monarch | "God Save the King" | |
| Sweden | Gustav III | "Gustafs skål" ("Toast to Gustaf") | |
| King of Sweden | "Bevare Gud vår kung" (1805–93) ("God Save The King") | Based on theBritish anthem, and with an identical melody. | |
| Beylik of Tunis | Bey of Tunis | "Salam al-Bey" ("Beylical Salute") | |
| Empire of Vietnam | Emperor of Vietnam | "Đăng đàn cung" ("Melody on the Ascent to the Esplanade") | |
| Kingdom of Yemen | Imams of Yemen | "Salam al-Malaky" ("Royal Salute") | No official words. |
| Kingdom of Yugoslavia | King of Yugoslavia | "National Anthem of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia" | |
| Sultanate of Zanzibar | Sultan of Zanzibar | "March for the Sultan of Zanzibar" | No words. |
If the first six bars only are used, as for a salute to the Governor-General as the Queen's representative, the anthem is to be played "fortissimo" at M.M. 60 crotchets.