Queen ‘ready to play part’ to meet challenge of pandemic
‘Our nation’s history has been forged by people and communities coming together to work as one’
THE QUEEN has urged the British public to do their “vitally important” bit to combat coronavirus, as she tells the nation: “I am certain we are up to that challenge.”
The Queen, who was joined by the Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle yesterday, emphasised official advice to “change our normal routines” for the greater good of communities and protecting the vulnerable.
Saying she recognised the world was living through a “period of great concern and uncertainty”, she evoked British history to ask the public to focus on the common goal.
Understood to be poised to make a further televised address should it be deemed necessary or beneficial to the national drive to combat Covid-19, the Queen pledged that the Royal family would certainly “play our part”. “As Philip and I arrive at Windsor today, we know that many individuals and families across the United Kingdom, and around the world, are entering a period of great concern and uncertainty,” she said in a written message.
“We are all being advised to change our normal routines and regular patterns of life for the greater good of the communities we live in and, in particular, to protect the most vulnerable within them. At times such as these, I am reminded that our nation’s history has been forged by people and communities coming together to work as one, concentrating our combined efforts with a focus on the common goal.
“We are enormously thankful for the expertise and commitment of our scientists, medical practitioners and emergency and public services; but now more than any time in our recent past, we all have a vitally important part to play as individuals – today and in the coming days, weeks and months.
She continued: “Many of us will need to find new ways of staying in touch with each other and making sure that loved ones are safe.
“I am certain we are up to that challenge. You can be assured that my family and I stand ready to play our part.”
The Daily Telegraph understands that it will be a case of “when not if” the Queen gives a further televised address about the outbreak, with aides and government considering when best to arrange a broadcast given the Covid-19 crisis is set to last for months.
She is believed to be actively participating in discussions and keen to fulfil her role as “mother of the nation”, guiding the country through difficult times.