Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason Calls for 'Rule, Britannia!' Ban at Proms

The renowned musician suggests replacing the controversial song with British folk music, sparking a heated debate about tradition and colonial history.

• Sheku Kanneh-Mason, the cellist who performed at Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding, has called for the song 'Rule, Britannia!' to be banned from the Last Night of the Proms event, stating that it makes people 'uncomfortable' due to its associations with Britain's colonial past and slavery.
• In response to Kanneh-Mason's suggestion, the BBC stated that the Proms are built on long-standing traditions, one of which is the Last Night festivities, and these traditions are loved by people around the world.
• Kanneh-Mason suggested that the wealth of British folk music could take the place of 'Rule, Britannia!' at the event.
• The song caused controversy in 2020 when the BBC announced that only an instrumental version would be played at the Last Night of the Proms due to COVID-19 restrictions, but they later backtracked and the song was sung.
• Kanneh-Mason's comments have sparked outrage online, with some Brits arguing that the song is a part of British tradition and should not be erased.

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