Queen says ‘we will overcome outbreak,’ in a special televised address to the nation

The Queen has delivered a message of hope to the nation, saying in the face of the coronavirus outbreak “we will overcome it”.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th Apr 2020, 20:15 BST
Updated 6th Apr 2020, 01:03 BST
Queen Elizabeth II during her address to the nation and the Commonwealth in relation to the coronavirus epidemic. Photo: Buckingham Palace/PA WireQueen Elizabeth II during her address to the nation and the Commonwealth in relation to the coronavirus epidemic. Photo: Buckingham Palace/PA Wire
Queen Elizabeth II during her address to the nation and the Commonwealth in relation to the coronavirus epidemic. Photo: Buckingham Palace/PA Wire

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”.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In a rare televised address to the country and Commonwealth from Windsor Castle, the Queen thanked frontline NHS staff, care workers and others for “selflessly” carrying out their essential roles.

Princess Elizabeth (right) and Princess Margaret after they broadcast on "Children's Hour" from Windsor Castle in October 1940, a broadcast which the Queen mentioned in her address on coronavirus. Photo: PA WirePrincess Elizabeth (right) and Princess Margaret after they broadcast on "Children's Hour" from Windsor Castle in October 1940, a broadcast which the Queen mentioned in her address on coronavirus. Photo: PA Wire
Princess Elizabeth (right) and Princess Margaret after they broadcast on "Children's Hour" from Windsor Castle in October 1940, a broadcast which the Queen mentioned in her address on coronavirus. Photo: PA Wire

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.”

Dame Vera helped rally the nation during wartime with her songs, especially We’ll Meet Again.

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.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Queen sympathised with those feeling a “painful sense of separation from their loved ones” and described how during the Blitz in 1940 aged 14 she gave her first radio broadcast to evacuated children.

Forces' sweetheart Dame Vera Lynne. The Queen echoed the words of her World War II anthem, "we will meet again". Photo: Sean Dempsey/PA WireForces' sweetheart Dame Vera Lynne. The Queen echoed the words of her World War II anthem, "we will meet again". Photo: Sean Dempsey/PA Wire
Forces' sweetheart Dame Vera Lynne. The Queen echoed the words of her World War II anthem, "we will meet again". Photo: Sean Dempsey/PA Wire

Acknowledging the changing religious landscape as Christians celebrated Palm Sunday, the Queen said: “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.”

She added: “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.”

The broadcast featured footage of people taking part in the Clap for Carers tribute.

—— ——

A message from the Editor:

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Ireland and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Alistair Bushe

Editor

Related topics:The QueenQueenCovid-19NHS