Queen Addresses Britain in a Rare Televised Speech Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
It’s not often that Queen Elizabeth II stands before her entire country, but it’s also not often we endure a global pandemic.
Just recently, the 93-year-old queen made televised a speech to Britain addressing the grief the community is feeling, as well as the economic and financial stressors many are enduring.
She also thanked healthcare workers for their hard work and bravery, as well as everyone else for doing their part to stay home and slow the spread of the virus.
Overall, the speech had a very positive connotation.
“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.
The entire United Kingdom is on a “soft lockdown” until further notice. People are allowed to leave their homes, but only for essential things such as grocery shopping, any medical reasoning or outdoor fitness—the latter possibly being banned if people take advantage of crowding parks and don’t take social distancing seriously.
“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,” she continued.
She even recalled a time back in the 40s when she felt similar as she does today. She was just 14 and had to address children on a live broadcast who had been evacuated from their homes for their own safety.
“Today, once again, many will feel a painful sense of separation from their loved ones,” she said. “But now, as then, we know deep down that it is the right thing to do.”
To hear the speech in full, check out the video below.
What do you think of the queen’s speech and Britain’s actions against the coronavirus outbreak?