Moving latest message joins with a history of sympathy in times of sadness
The Queen’s television address was only the fourth of her long reign to be delivered during a time of crisis or grief. It follows short, filmed speeches about the Gulf War and the deaths of Diana, Princess of Wales, and Queen Elizabeth.
In the final days of the Gulf War, on Feb 24 1991, she spoke from her desk, of the necessity of a “just and lasting peace”. She said: “As a nation, we are rightly proud of our Armed Forces. That pride has been fully justified by their conduct in the Gulf War so far.
“As they, with our allies, face a fresh and yet sterner challenge, I hope that we can unite in praying that their success will be as swift as it is certain. And that it may be achieved with as small a cost in human life and suffering as possible. Then, may the true reward of their courage be granted: a just and lasting peace.”
In 1997, a day before the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, she spoke with a live backdrop of crowds outside Buckingham Palace. Paying tribute to Diana as an “exceptional and gifted human being”, she told the British public: “What I say to you now, as your Queen and as a grandmother, I say from my heart. I hope that tomorrow we can all, wherever we are, join in expressing our grief and our gratitude for her all-too-short life. May we – each and every one of us – thank God for someone who made many, many people happy.”
In 2002, after the death of her mother, Queen Elizabeth, at the age of 101, she appeared wearing black at a Windsor Castle window overlooking the Long Walk. Saying she counted herself fortunate for her mother’s long and happy life, the Queen emphasised her warmth, faith and “infectious zest for living”.
“I have been deeply moved by the outpouring of affection that has accompanied her death,” she said.
“My family and I always knew what she meant for the people of this country and the special place she occupied in the hearts of so many here, in the Commonwealth and in other parts of the world.
“The extent of the tribute that huge numbers of you have paid my mother has been overwhelming. I have drawn great comfort from so many acts of kindness and respect.”
In 2012, she also gave a short address to offer her thanks to the nation for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
Speaking in front of photographs of the just-married Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, her words were preceded by the national anthem and accompanied by footage of street parties, royal visits, and footage of the direct family – the Queen, the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, the Cambridges and Prince Harry – on the Buckingham Palace balcony.
Sharing particular thanks from “Prince Philip and I” to all those who had organised the festivities, she said: “The events that I had attended to mark my Diamond Jubilee have been a humbling experience. It has touched me deeply to see so many thousands of families, neighbours and friends celebrating together in such a happy atmosphere.
“I hope that memories of all this year’s happy events will brighten our lives for many years to come.”