We will meet again: Queen delivers rare address from Windsor Castle
Queen Elizabeth has delivered a heartfelt messages amid the coronavirus pandemic and has delivered a thoughtful thanks to the Brits and the NHS for their effort to eradicate the disease.
Millions of people tuned into to watch the British monarch and emotionally address the nation in the face of the worrying COVID-91.
Her Majesty took time to thank families and individuals for staying at home and listening to the instructions given to them.
She also hailed NHS workers as hero’s and urged the millions of people residing in the UK to remain “united and resolute,” and assured the commonwealth that “better days will return”.
In a separate message to Australians released by Government House in Canberra, the Queen said: "At a time when people across the Commonwealth are experiencing a profound and rapid change to their lives, the pain of lost loved ones, and an understandable concern about the future, my thoughts are with all Australians.
"Whilst it can be difficult to remain hopeful in such challenging times, especially following the summer's devastating bushfires and recent flooding, I am confident that the stoic and resilient nature of the Australian people will rise to the challenge."
Viewers were shown a black and white photograph of the Queen and her sister Margaret doing their bit in the war as she reminisced on her past with her younger sibling.
She said: “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 and sent away for their own safety.
“Today, once again, many will feel a painful sense of separation from their loved ones. But now, as then, we know, deep down, that it is the right thing to do.”
The Queen went on to thank the whole country for their tireless efforts that have not gone unnoticed by her.
“A time of disruption in the life of our country: a disruption that has brought grief to some, financial difficulties to many, and enormous changes to the daily lives of us all,” she said.
“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-to-day duties outside the home in support of us all.
“I am sure the nation will join me in assuring you that what you do is appreciated and every hour of your hard work brings us closer to a return to more normal times.”
Her Majesty went on to say the country will look back on the crisis for years to come and remember they fought with “pride” to defeat the deadly virus.
“Together we are tackling this disease, and I want to reassure you that if we remain united and resolute, then we will overcome it,” she said.
“I hope in the years to come everyone will be able to 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. That the attributes of self-discipline, of quiet good-humoured resolve and of fellow-feeling still characterise this country.
“The pride in who we are is not a part of our past, it defines our present and our future.”
Viewers were shown clips of selfless ordinary workers making deliveries and the army helping build NHS Nightingale hospital.
Along with other images shown, clips were aired of the deliveries being made by the army to the NHS Nightingale hospital, and footage showing rainbow pictures drawn by children.
“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,” Her Majesty said.
“Across the Commonwealth and around the world, we have seen heart-warming stories of people coming together to help others, be it through delivering food parcels and medicines, checking on neighbours, or converting businesses to help the relief effort.
“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.
“While we have faced challenges before, this one is different. This time we join with all nations across the globe in a common endeavour, using the great advances of science and our instinctive compassion to heal.
“We will succeed - and that success will belong to every one of us.”
The Queen finished her emotional, thoughtful message by using lines once sung by Dame Vera Lynn.
She 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. But for now, I send my thanks and warmest good wishes to you all.”
It was just last month the WWII forces sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn used the momentous occasion of her 103rd birthday to call on the British public to find “moments of joy” during these “hard times”.
The legendary singer marked the special occasion with a new video for her wartime classic We’ll Meet Again royal aides said The Queen’s speech was “deeply personal” to the 93-year-old monarch.
The Queen is currently in isolation with her husband 98-year-old Prince Philip at Windsor Castle.