Queen Elizabeth celebrated her “official birthday” gave an Easter address to the nation on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020.
The audio message was recorded at Windsor Castle, and it is the second time the queen has addressed the coronavirus crisis publicly.
The Royal Family posted the Queen’s message on the Royal Family Youtube Channel (see below). You can find the complete text of the Queen’s message on the Royal Family website.
The Queen’s April 5 Address
About 24 million Britons tuned in to see a rare address from Queen Elizabeth on Sunday, April 5, 2020.
In a message of sympathy and a call to resolve for a nation hit by coronavirus, the Queen evoked memories of World War II.
“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,” the Queen said.
The five-minute address was seen by 24 million people in the UK, according to the BBC.
The Royal Family posted the Queen’s message on the Royal Family Youtube Channel (see below). You can find the complete text of the Queen’s message on the Royal Family website.
The Queen compared the broadcast to one she made as Princess Elizabeth in 1940:
“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.”
You can listen to the 1940 broadcast below.
Queen Moves to Windsor
Queen Elizabeth left Buckingham Palace in March for Windsor Castle, where she will remain through Easter, the Royal Family announced. The Queen and Prince Philip left London early due to the Coronavirus epidemic.
The Queen, who remained in England during World War II and drove a truck for the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), issued a message of solidarity to the United Kingdom, saying, “You can be assured that my family and I stand ready to play our part” during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Her statement, posted on the Royal Family website, is as follows:
“As Philip and I arrive at Windsor today, we know that many individuals and families across the United Kingdom, and around the world, are entering a period of great concern and uncertainty.
We are all being advised to change our normal routines and regular patterns of life for the greater good of the communities we live in and, in particular, to protect the most vulnerable within them.
At times such as these, I am reminded that our nation’s history has been forged by people and communities coming together to work as one, concentrating our combined efforts with a focus on the common goal.
We are enormously thankful for the expertise and commitment of our scientists, medical practitioners and emergency and public services; but now more than any time in our recent past, we all have a vitally important part to play as individuals – today and in the coming days, weeks and months.
Many of us will need to find new ways of staying in touch with each other and making sure that loved ones are safe. I am certain we are up to that challenge. You can be assured that my family and I stand ready to play our part.
ELIZABETH R”
All of the Royal residences are closing due to the Coronavirus epidemic.
The Queen’s official London residence – Buckingham Palace – is normally closed to the public until July. Her other residences, Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, are closed until further notice, the family announced.
However, the public is invited to take a free virtual tour of all three royal residences. You can use your computer, tablet or smartphone to take the tours. Here are the links:
Here is the official video of Windsor Castle:
