When Queen Victoria first ascended the throne, she attended a performance of Handel’s Messiah, as was customary for royalty. Beforehand, she had been carefully instructed in the proper decorum—that under no circumstances was she to rise when the audience stood for the Hallelujah Chorus.
As the majestic chorus filled the hall—“Hallelujah! Hallelujah! For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth”—the young queen remained seated, though it was clear she struggled to stay in her place. Her whole being seemed ready to rise in reverence. Finally, when the choir thundered the words, “King of kings and Lord of lords,” Victoria could no longer restrain herself. She rose to her feet, bowed her head, and stood as though she would gladly remove her crown and lay it at His feet.
