QUEEN’S MESSAGE
Queen’s message of hope as she says: ‘We will be with family and friends once more’
THE Queen last night praised the tireless efforts of frontline NHS staff and others keeping the country going.
In a rare address to the nation from her Covid-19 self-isolation at Windsor Castle, the 93-year-old urged Brits separated from family and friends and cooped up at home to stay strong.
In her rallying call, the Queen drew on her experience of living through the Blitz when as Princess Elizabeth she reassured children evacuated from cities being bombed.
It was expected to be the most watched programme in British history. As the UK death toll rose to 4934, a leap of 621 in a day, she also hailed efforts across the globe to beat Covid-19.
And she praised grateful Brits for applauding key workers.
In her rousing speech on TV and radio at 8pm, the monarch said: “The moments when the United Kingdom has come together to applaud its care and essential workers will be remembered as an expression of our national spirit, and its symbol will be the rainbows drawn by children.”
She added: “It reminds me of the very first broadcast I made, in 1940, helped by my sister. We, as children, spoke from here at Windsor to children who had been evacuated from their homes.
“Today, once again, many will feel a painful sense of separation from loved ones. But now, as then, we know, deep down, it is the right thing to do. I want to thank everyone on the NHS front line, as well as care workers and those carrying out essential roles, who selflessly continue their day-today duties outside the home in support of us all.
“I also want to thank those of you who are staying at home, thereby helping to protect the vulnerable and sparing many families the pain already felt by those who have lost loved ones.
“Together we are tackling this disease, and I want to reassure you that if we remain united and resolute, then we will overcome it. We will succeed and that success will belong to every one of us. We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return.
“We will be with our friends again, we will be with our families again, we will meet again.
“I hope in the years to come everyone will take pride in how they responded to this challenge. And those who come after us will say the Britons of this generation were as strong as any.
“Across the Commonwealth and around the world, we have seen heart-warming stories of people coming together to help others, be it delivering food parcels and medicines, checking on neighbours, or converting businesses to help the relief effort.”
The Queen’s speech was described by sources as the “Government’s trump card” in the battle to get Brits to stay home.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock called it a “striking and important message on coming together and standing with all nations to tackle coronavirus”.
Labour leader Keir Starmer said: “The Queen speaks for the whole country and our determination to defeat the coronavirus.”
Shadow Health Secretary Jon Ashworth said: “Her Majesty spoke for all of us at this time of grave emergency. Her tribute to our brave NHS and care staff was powerful and heartfelt.
“As the Queen reminded us, we stand as a nation united in total admiration for our NHS and we will come through this together.
“Better days will return for our loved ones and our friends.”
Former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, who chairs the Commons Health Committee, said: “Thank you Your Majesty for speaking for us all tonight in your thanks to NHS and frontline workers, for giving us confidence in our national virtues and also hope in a dark time.”
The broadcast was recorded after the Queen’s doctors sought to mitigate risks to her or anyone else. The White Drawing Room used was chosen so an appropriate distance could be maintained while the lone cameraman wore personal protective equipment.