Queen tells the nation ‘we will overcome it’
The Queen told the nation to “remain united and resolute” in the face of the coronavirus outbreak, insisting “we will overcome it”.
In a rare address to the UK and the Commonwealth, she warned that people “may have more still to endure”. But after thanking NHS and essential workers she sounded a positive note, saying: “We will succeed – and that success will belong to every one of us.”
The Queen has delivered a message of hope to the nation, saying if we “remain united and resolute” in the face of the coronavirus outbreak “we will overcome it”.
The head of state warned the country, in lockdown for almost two weeks and with thousands dead after contracting Covid-19, “may have more still to endure”.
But she echoed the words of Forces’ sweetheart Dame Vera Lynne’s Second World War anthem, when she said “we will meet again”.
In a rare televised address to the country and Commonwealth,
the Queen sounded a positive note, saying: “We will succeed – and that success will belong to every one of us.”
Speaking from Windsor Castle, the Queen personally thanked frontline NHS staff, care workers and others for “selflessly” carrying out their essential roles which had brought “us closer to a return to more normal times”.
The Queen said: “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.”
Dame Vera helped rally the nation during wartime with her songs, especially We’ll Meet Again which became a significant tune for servicemen fighting abroad and those at home separated from loved ones.
The Queen said: “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.”
The Queen sympathised with those feeling a “painful sense of separation from their loved ones” and described how during the Blitz in 1940 she gave her first radio broadcast to evacuated children.
The then 14-year-old Princess Elizabeth had been sent for safety to Windsor Castle with her sister Princess Margaret, and she called on evacuated youngsters to have courage.
“Today, once again, many will feel a painful sense of separation from their loved ones,” the Queen said.
“But now, as then, we know, deep down, that it is the right thing to do.
“And though self-isolating may at times be hard, many people of all faiths, and of none, are discovering that it presents an opportunity to slow down, pause and reflect, in prayer or meditation.”
The broadcast featured footage of NHS frontline staff, workersmakingdeliveriesand military personnel, as well as people taking part in the Clap for Carers tribute, rainbow pictures drawn by children – in honour of the carers – and a black and white image of the Queen’s first radio broadcast.
With hundreds of thousands answering the call for NHS volunteers and others supporting vulnerable people in their communities, the monarch said she hopes in the future everyone will be able to feel “pride” in how they rose to the situation.