On Sunday evening, Queen Elizabeth II delivered a brave speech amid the COVID-19 pandemic to the people of the UK that left a lasting impression on those that watched. “I am speaking to you at what I know is an increasingly challenging time,” the monarch begun. “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.”
Royal reporter Rebecca English wrote on Twitter: “I defy anyone not to have a lump in their throat as the Queen, echoing Dame Vera Lynn, says: ‘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.” Her sentiments were echoed by many who watched the broadcast, which is only the fourth time the Queen has spoken to the nation in a special televised address in this way:
Watch the speech below:
Her Majesty The Queen addresses the UK and the Commonwealth in a special broadcast recorded at Windsor Castle. pic.twitter.com/HjO1uiV1Tm
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) April 5, 2020
Here’s how the world reacted:
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Just wept my way through the Queen.
— Rebecca Reid (@RebeccaCNReid) April 5, 2020
Eesh, I found that surprisingly moving
— Tom McTague (@TomMcTague) April 5, 2020
I welled up at the Queen’s speech. I’ve officially lost it. #EmotionalWreck
— Nicola Slawson (@Nicola_Slawson) April 5, 2020
93-year-old Queen Elizabeth II just delivered a more inspiring display of leadership than I've seen from any federal American politician. sheesh.
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) April 5, 2020
Evoking the moving sentiments of Dame Vera Lynn's Second World War anthem, 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."
— Hannah Furness (@Hannah_Furness) April 5, 2020
Grace Back is a journalist and was formerly the Digital Culture Editor across ELLE and marie claire Australia. When not stuck in a seemingly endless Instagram scroll, you'll find Grace with her head in a good book.
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