Bucklebury musicians compose Coronation song

Two local musicians have composed a song for King Charles III.

And they encourage the nation to join them in singing it for the Coronation in May.

After the success of their farewell Messiah in an Hour performance in December, Daniel and Sandra Nicholls, from Bucklebury, set themselves a new challenge.

The couple – who taught a teenage Catherine Middleton to play the piano and wrote a song for her and Prince William as a wedding present – spent a month writing and recording a new song, titled Defender.

They say the song promotes an inclusive and positive message and hope the whole nation will get behind it come the Coronation.

"It's a very accessible, straightforward piece," said Mr Nicholls.

Mrs Nicholls added: "It's not offensive and it's not about God, but people can take it to be about God if they want to."

The couple explained how the inspiration for the song came from King Charles himself.

The King stated in the past his intention to not just be a Defender of the Faith, but to champion all faiths – including those with no faith – the message the couple want to convey.

Mr and Mrs Nicholls confirmed they have forwarded the song to the King and also to the Prince and Princess of Wales and are awaiting a response.

They are planning to teach the song to local schools and encourage others to record their own variations and upload these on to YouTube.

The Defender of the Faith title was first given to King Henry VIII by the Pope but was revoked when Henry broke from the Roman Catholic Church.

It was later restored to Henry and subsequent monarchs – now as defenders of the Anglican faith.

Visit www.soundscool.org to listen to the song and download the free sheet music.