Queen captures mood of nation in sombre address
Monarch reflects on tragedies
she captured the mood of the nation - showing how important it is to soldier on in the face of adversity.
Her Majesty the Queen cut a defiant figure as she marked her Official Birthday yesterday, declaring Britain will remain resolute in the face of adversity.
The 91- year- old monarch took the unusual step of issuing a statement ahead of yesterday’ s traditional Trooping the Colour ceremony at Buckingham Palace which acknowledged the recent tragedies in London and Manchester.
Her rallying call said it was “difficult to escape a very sombre national mood”, coming a day after she met survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire.
The Queen said: “In recent months, the country has witnessed a succession of terrible tragedies. As a nation, we continue to reflect and pray for all those who have been directly affected by these events.
“Put to the test, the United Kingdom has been resolute in the face of adversity. United in our sadness, we are equally determined, without fear or favour, to support all those rebuilding lives so horribly affected by injury and loss.”
Thousands gathered for the annual display of pomp and pageantry as the Queen showed that the nation would soldier on despite the difficult recent events.
Ian Lloyd, The Sunday Post’s Royal correspondent, said the Queen struck the right tone with her statement and the decision to hold a minute’s silence for the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire.
“She is aware there will be pockets of people all over the country affected by the recent atrocities who will not be singing ‘happy birthday’ to her,” said Ian.
“She has issued statements after major conflicts and things like 9/11 but it is unprecedented for her to release something like this on this day.
“She has struck the right tone in the past week and she’s very aware her presence is vital. She knows the value of being a symbolic leader in times of stress, it’s been ingrained in her from childhood.”
Under blue skies and brilliant summer sunshine the Queen – accompanied by Royals including the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince George and Princess Charlotte –
watched the centuries-old military spectacle of might, splendour and precision marching on Horse Guards Parade, Henry VIII’s former jousting yard.
The event is an important day in the armed forces’ calendar and the families and friends of the officers and soldiers on parade proudly watch the ceremony.
For many royal watchers, the day belonged to Prince George, three, and Princess Charlotte, two. They delighted, but George did, at times, fail to look impressed by the spectacle.
One on-looker, Rose Balgownie, 66, who travelled down to London, said: “It was lovely to see the young royals and to be reminded, at times like this, we’re still the country that does this sort of thing best.
“The Queen has always been there for us. She’s a beacon of hope in dark times, and that’s as true now as ever.”