The anthem 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 a military band. The head of state in many countries is honored with a prescribed piece of music; in some countries the national anthem serves this purpose, while others have a separate royal, presidential, or, historically, imperial anthem. Other officials may also have anthems, such as the vice-regal salute in several Commonwealth realms for the governor-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 include Jamaica,[1] Malaysia,[2] and the Netherlands.
Other examples include the following:
| Country/Organization | Office/rank | Music | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | President | "" | Presidential march[3] | |
| Armenia | President | "Presidential Fanfare" | ||
| Australia | Monarch | "God Save the King"[4] | ||
| Other royal family members | "God Save the King" | First six bars only. | ||
| Governor-general, governors | Vice-regal salute | The first and last four bars of "Advance Australia Fair", the national anthem. Before 1984, the royal salute was the first six bars of "God Save the King". | ||
| The Bahamas | Monarch | "God Save the King" | ||
| Other royal 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 | "" | 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 a pipe band, "Mallorca" is played instead. | |
| Other royal family members | The first six bars of "God Save the King" | For a pipe band, "Mallorca" is played instead. | ||
| Governor general, lieutenant governors | "Salute to the Governor General/Lieutenant Governor", commonly called the Vice 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 a pipe band, a combination of "Mallorca" and "O Canada" is played instead. Before 1968, the Vice Regal Salute was simply a royal salute first six bars of "God Save the King". | ||
| High-ranking Canadian Forces personnel | "General Salute" | Played to render honours to high ranking personnel. | ||
| China | President | "Chinese: 欢迎进行曲" (Welcome March) | Played as a welcoming signal for the president and the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party. | |
| Colombia | President | "" (Presidential Salute) | Bugle fanfare by the Corps of drums then followed by the: 1. Introduction and chorus of the "National Anthem of Colombia" 2. Introduction from the hymn of the National Army of Colombia 3. Introduction from the hymn of the Colombian Navy 4. Introduction from the hymn of the Colombian Air Force 5. First bars of the hymn of the National Police of Colombia, all by a military band If the president attends an event hosted by only either of the three service branches of the Military 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 | "" | Fanfares from overture of the opera Libuše | |
| Denmark | Monarch | "" | "King Christian stood by the lofty mast". Also one of the two national anthems, the other being "". | |
| Ecuador | President | "" (Presidential Salute) "" (Presidential March) | 1. In the Army, Air Force and Police, a bugle fanfare followed by the chorus of "" 2. In the Navy, four long blasts of the boatswain'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 | "" (Vice-presidential Salute) "" (Fatherland Song) | 1. In the Army, Air Force and Police, a bugle fanfare followed by the chorus of "" 2. In the Navy, four long blasts of the boatswain'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 | "" ("Solemn March", or Presidential March) | In 1922, "" won the contest for Estonian-composed state march. On 27 January 1923, it was adopted by the then-Minister of War Jaan Soots as the honorary march of the state elder of Estonia (later known as the president of the Republic of Estonia), thus replacing the "" which was previously used in its place.[7] | |
| Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces and commander-in-chief of the Estonian Defence Forces | "" was the honorary march of the state elder of Estonia until 27 January 1923 when it was replaced by the "". | "March of the Pori Regiment"/"March of the Björneborgers". The tune was first publicly performed in Estonia at the 7th Estonian Song Festival in 1910, a handful of years before the declaration of independence. | ||
| FIFA | President | Abridged version of the FIFA Anthem | ||
| Finland | Commander-in-chief of the Finnish Defence Forces (normally the president) | "" ("") | "March of the Pori Regiment"/"March of the Björneborgers" | |
| France | President | "" | First used in 1974.[8] | |
| Guatemala | President | "La Granadera" | ||
| Grenada | Monarch | "God Save the King" | ||
| Governor-general | "Vice-regal Salute" | The playing of "Hail Grenada", the national anthem. | ||
| Haiti | President | "" (Chant Nationale) | "When Our Fathers Broke Their Chains" (also known as the National Hymn). Poem by Oswald Durand, set to music by Occide Jeanty in 1893 to serve as a national anthem; replaced by "" in 1904.[9] | |
| Indonesia | Commander-in-chief of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (normally the president) | "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 the Olympic 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 "Irish: [[Amhrán na bhFiann]]|italic=no", the national anthem.[10] | |
| Taoiseach | "Irish: Mór Chluana" / "Amhrán Dóchais|italic=no" | "Irish: Mór Chluana|italic=no" ("More of Cloyne") is a traditional air collected by Patrick Weston Joyce in 1873.[11] [12] "Irish: Amhrán Dóchais|italic=no" ("Song of Hope") is a poem written by Osborn Bergin in 1913 and set to the air.[13] John A. Costello chose the air as his salute. Though the salute is often called "Irish: Amhrán Dóchais|italic=no", Brian Ó Cuív argues "Irish: Mór Chluana|italic=no" is the correct title.[14] | ||
| Italy | President | "" ("Italian: Inno Sardo Nazionale|italic=no") | Adopted in 1991.[15] [16] | |
| 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 | "" | A variant of "Wilhelmus", the national and royal anthem of the Netherlands | |
| Malaysia | Abridged version of the national anthem | Consisting of first and last sections. Played before the relevant state's anthem if the salute is for the . | ||
| State monarchs | Short version of "" (the national anthem) | Consisting of last section. Played after the relevant state's anthem. Only may be played if the state monarch present representing the king. | ||
| Mauritania | President | "Presidential Hymn of Mauritania" | Poem by Baba Ould Cheikh in the late 18th century and composed by Tolia Nikiprowetzky in 1960 to serve as a national anthem; replaced by "" in 2017. | |
| Montenegro | President | "Abridged version of " | First stanza only. | |
| Netherlands | Members of the royal house; governor of Aruba; governor of Curaçao and governor of Sint Maarten | "Wilhelmus" | The national anthem.[17] | |
| Various officials not entitled to "Wilhelmus".[18] | "" | Ministers used the national anthem until Queen Beatrix objected in 1986.[19] | ||
| New Zealand | Monarch | "God Save the King"[20] | Also one of two national anthems, the other being "God Defend New Zealand". | |
| Governor-General | "Salute to the Governor-General" | The first six bars of "God Save the King".,[21] recently also followed by the first and last four bars of "God Defend New Zealand".[22] "God Save the King" may also be played in full. | ||
| 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. | |
| Papua New Guinea | Monarch | "God Save the King"[23] | ||
| Philippines | President | "Mabuhay"[24] ("We Say Mabuhay")(Presidential march) | The word mabuhay means "long live". The song, with music by Tirso Cruz, Sr and English lyrics by American James King Steele, was written .[25] 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-President Joseph Estrada), was played until 2010 and was readopted in 2022 by President Bongbong Marcos[26] 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 the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police and the Philippine 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 Secretary Lucas Bersamin signed Memorandum 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, which begins with the words Panahon na ng pagbabago (“It is time for change”), is a patriotic and nationalistic anthem, bearing a resemblance to the Bagong Pagsilang from the administration of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. The circular further directed the Presidential Communications Group to implement the circular. | ||
| Poland | President | "Sygnał prezydencki"[27] | 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"[28] | |||
| Romania | President | "Marș triumfal"[29] | 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 of Bože pravde" | First half of the first stanza and last two parts of the second stanza only. | |
| Singapore | President | "Abridged version of Majulah Singapura" | First six bars only, played during state visits by foreign heads of state.[30] During major national events, the anthem is played in full. | |
| Slovenia | Commander-in-chief of the Slovenian Armed Forces (normally the President) | "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 the federal 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"[31] | "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 King Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida.[32] | ||
| Other members of the royal family | "Maha Chai" | "Grand Victory". It may be also used for the Regent of Thailand and Thai military officers who held the rank of field marshal of the Royal Thai Army, admiral of the fleet of the Royal Thai Navy and/or marshal of the Royal Thai Air Force.[33] [34] | ||
| 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 the Royal Thai Armed Forces.[35] | ||
| United States | President | "Hail to the Chief"[36] | Short or long version may be played depending on the event | |
| Vice president | "Hail Columbia" | First 8 and last 4 bars | ||
| Various officials[37] | "Honors March 1" | 32-bar medley of "Stars and Stripes Forever" | ||
| Army, Air Force, and Space Force general officers | "General's March" | Also listed in AR 600-25 as "Honors March 2" | ||
| Navy flag officers | "Admiral's March" | Also listed in AR 600-25 as "Honors March 3" | ||
| Navy and Coast Guard admirals and Marine Corps generals | "Flag Officer's March" | Also listed in AR 600-25 as "Honors March 4" | ||
| United Kingdom | Monarch | "God Save The King" | The entire anthem is performed.[38] 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),[39] "Gloria al Bravo Pueblo" (short version or full version, for military band only), "National Salute March" (Marcha Regular) (for Corps 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,[40] also played as Salute March of the Flag 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 the monarchy in 1943, now the national anthem. | |
| Austrian Empire/Austria-Hungary | Monarch | "Gott erhalte Franz den Kaiser" ("God Save Emperor Francis") | Used with updated words for later emperors until the abolition of the monarchy in 1918. | |
| Kingdom of Bavaria | King of Bavaria | Heil unserm König, Heil! "Königsstrophe" ("Hail to our King, Hail!") | Used until the 1830s when getting replaced by the Bayernhymne. | |
| 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) | Emperor Yuan 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 (–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 | "" ("Song of the Departure") | "" 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 until the 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)[41] | ||
| 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 the Anglo-Irish Treaty resented by nationalists. While unionists felt that "God Save the King" was appropriate anthem for the king's Irish representative, the 1927–32 government decreed that the governor-general should leave any function at which it was played.[42] The 1933–37 government eliminated all ceremonial honours before abolishing the position entirely.[43] | |
| Kingdom of Italy | King of Italy | "" ("Italian: Inno Sardo Nazionale|italic=no") | Glorifies the prince/king. Used until the abolition of the monarchy in 1946, now the presidential anthem. | |
| 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 | King Idris | "Libya, Libya, Libya" | This anthem was readopted by the National 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 new imperial anthem was usually composed for each sultan. | |
| Kingdom of Portugal | King of Portugal | "O Hino da Carta" ("Hymn to the Charter") | Used from 1834 until the 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 the abolition of monarchy—still used by some descendants of white 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 |
| Afterward Sansoen Phra Barami changed status for Royal Salute Anthem ever since change of rule for democratic form of government with the king as head of state in 1932, which the state changed to use the new 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 the British 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. |