THE coronation of King Charles III will take place on May 6, with millions expected to tune in to watch at least a part of the pomp and ceremony surrounding the occasion. 

The liturgy, published by the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lambeth Palace, spells out exactly what will happen during the service and when.

READ MORE: King to abhor 'great cry of allegiance' – despite helping create idea, friend claims

A host of hymns and anthems will be sung, including the national anthem “God Save the King”. 

But will it contain the infamous verse – which Billy Connolly called “appalling” and “racist” – about having “rebellious Scots to crush”?

Here’s what we know about the national anthem and the King’s coronation.

Are Scots mentioned in the national anthem?

Around the Jacobite rising of 1745, a verse was penned and occasionally sung as part of the longer God Save the King anthem, which appeared in its current form at around the same time.

This controversial verse made mention of Field Marshal George Wade, who served as commander-in-chief of the British forces during the “Forty-five Rebellion”.

It goes: “Lord grant that Marshal Wade, 

“May by thy mighty aid, 

“Victory bring. 

“May he sedition hush, 

“And like a torrent rush, 

“Rebellious Scots to crush, 

“God Save the King."

There are many versions of God Save the King, and often the above verse is not included. At other times it has been included as the sixth and final verse, or somewhere in the middle.

At official events, only the first verse of the anthem tends to be sung. At the coronation of King Charles, only the first and final (sometimes fifth) verses are to be sung, according to the liturgy. 

These go: “God save our gracious King!

“Long live our noble King!

“God save The King!

“Send him victorious,

“Happy and glorious,

“Long to reign over us,

“God save The King.

“Thy choicest gifts in store

“On him be pleased to pour,

“Long may he reign.

“May he defend our laws,

“And ever give us cause,

“To sing with heart and voice,

“God save The King.”

Have their been efforts to address the controversial Scots verse in the past?

While prime minister, Gordon Brown ordered a review of British citizenship conducted by former attorney general Peter Goldsmith, who suggested that the verse calling for "rebellious Scots" to be crushed should be rewritten.

Speaking in 2007, Goldsmith said: "Quite a number of people have raised the issue of the national anthem in a number of ways.

"I think the national anthem is an important part of our national tradition."

He added: "But the review is about different ways of sharing our tradition and national identity ...

READ MORE: Scots suggest songs the BBC should play instead of God Save the Queen

"What we have to look at is different ways of saying what it is that links the country together."

However, in 2010 it was confirmed that no changes would be made to the anthem. 

The debate over the lyrics has been raging for decades, with Billy Connolly raising the question in the 1980s during his appearance on "An Audience With..." which attracted millions of viewers.

The comedian said of the anthem: "It's an appalling song, and it's racist. The fourth verse is all about Marshal Wade coming up to give us a belt in the mouth."