BBC plunged into 'Rule Britannia' censorship row

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Every year millions tune in to watch a pomp-laden celebration of all things British with flag-waving music lovers boisterously singing along to patriotic anthems performed at the last night of the BBC’s Promenade concerts. But a decision by the public broadcaster to omit the words from two of the best known songs in this year’s concert from London’s Royal Albert Hall has sparked a bitter row over censorship and the country’s imperial past.

The BBC said an orchestral-only version of “Rule Britannia!” and “Land of Hope and Glory” would be performed to reflect how the Last Night of the Proms concert would take place on Sept. 12 with no audience and a small orchestra due to COVID-19.