What is the name of the Royal Anthem of Canada?
Quick answer: God Save the Queen (or King). In our practice tests 71% of 113 answers were correct, and the most common mistake is choosing “O Canada”.
Why is this the correct answer?
"God Save the King" (or Queen) is Canada's Royal Anthem, played on occasions involving the Sovereign or their representatives. "O Canada" is the separate national anthem.
Study Tip
The Royal Anthem of Canada is closely tied to the country's national anthem, but it's used in a specific context. It's a song that is traditionally played when a member of the royal family is present.
What should you know about this topic?
Canada has two anthems. The national anthem is "O Canada." The Royal Anthem is "God Save the King" (or "God Save the Queen" when the Sovereign is a woman). The Royal Anthem honours the Sovereign and reflects Canada's status as a constitutional monarchy.
"God Save the King" is played or sung at official events where the Sovereign or members of the Royal Family are honoured. Its words ask for God's protection of the Sovereign. "O Canada" was first sung in Quebec City in 1880 and was proclaimed as Canada's national anthem in 1980. It is sung at public events, schools, and sports games across the country. Many Canadians learn the words of "O Canada" in both English and French. The French version was written first, and the English version was written later. The Royal Anthem is often heard at events where the Governor General or a Lieutenant Governor attends.
Today King Charles III is Canada's Sovereign, so the Royal Anthem is sung as "God Save the King." The Sovereign is represented in Canada by the Governor General, and royal symbols appear on coins, the coat of arms, and in the citizenship oath, where new citizens swear allegiance to the King. For the test, remember which anthem is which, and link this question to the idea of a constitutional monarchy and to the Oath of Citizenship.
Why are the other answers wrong?
- O Canada: "O Canada" is the national anthem, not the Royal Anthem.
- La Marseillaise: "La Marseillaise" is the national anthem of France, not Canada.
- The Star-Spangled Banner: "The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States.
What is the most common mistake?
Many learners pick "O Canada" because it is more familiar. "O Canada" is the national anthem; the Royal Anthem is "God Save the King."
How can you remember the answer?
"Royal Anthem sings to the Royal": the song that names the King is the Royal one.
Original data
How many people get this question right?
71% of 113 practice answers from about 72 people were correct. The most common wrong answer is "O Canada", chosen 26% of the time. The data covers practice tests on BecomeACitizen.ca from March 31, 2026 to September 30, 2026.
How hard is this question compared with others?
It is the 45th hardest of the 167 questions we have enough data to rank. The average for the Canadian Symbols chapter is 74% correct, and the average across all questions is 75%. You need 75% to pass the real test.
These are practice questions written from the official Discover Canada guide. IRCC does not publish the real test questions. See the full ranking in the 20 most-missed citizenship test questions or browse more Canadian Symbols questions.
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Which part of Discover Canada is this question from?
This question is from the Canadian Symbols section of the Canadian citizenship test. The test consists of 20 multiple-choice questions drawn from the official Discover Canada study guide. You need to score at least 75% (15 out of 20 correct) to pass.
This chapter has 24 questions in our database. Studying chapter by chapter is one of the most effective ways to prepare, as it helps you build deep understanding of each topic before moving to the next.
How should you study for the citizenship test?
Start by reading the complete how-to-pass guide, then work through each chapter in the study mode. When you feel ready, take a full exam simulation with the real 45-minute time limit.