THE Queen evoked the wartime spirit as she thanked Brits and the NHS for their tireless efforts fighting the virus and promised better times are ahead.
Millions gathered around their TV sets to hear Her Maj deliver a stirring address to the nation in the face of the worsening coronavirus crisis.
The 93-year-old monarch, who is in isolation, directly thanked families for obeying stay-at-home guidance and hailed the incredible life-saving NHS heroes.
The Queen echoed WWII forces sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn as she promised those coping with forced separation from loved-ones “we willl meet again”.
She urged millions in the UK and around the Commonwealth to remain “united and resolute” and that soon “better days will return”.
She said: “I am speaking to you at what I know is an increasingly challenging time.
‘I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE’
“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.
“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.”
Families across the country have been warned to remain at home to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.
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.
Her Maj spoke of better times when the nation looks back on this crisis and promised this generation will be remembered with “pride” for fighting and defeating coronavirus.
She said: “Together we are tackling this disease, and I want to reassure you that if we remain united and resolute, then we will overcome it.
“I hope in the years to come everyone will be able to take pride in how they responded to this challenge.
‘UNITED AND RESOLUTE’
“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.
Inspiring footage including video of the remarkable weekly “Clap for NHS” and rainbow pictures drawn by children adorning windows and doors across the country.
The Queen said: “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.
“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.
Her Majesty’s response to the crisis facing the nation was to evoke memories of the heroic sacrifices made during the Second World War.
‘RIGHT THING TO DO’
Viewers were shown a black and white photograph of the Queen and her sister Margaret doing their bit in the war.
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.
“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.”
And finished her stirring speech evoking the immortal lines of Dame Vera Lynn.
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. But for now, I send my thanks and warmest good wishes to you all.”
‘INSTINCTIVE COMPASSION TO HEAL’
Only last month WWII forces sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn used 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.
Her eldest son Prince of Charles, 71, contracted coronavirus last month and suffered mild symptoms before getting the all-clear.
She has a skeleton team of staff at Windsor Castle where she is in isolation with 98-year-old Prince Philip.
The Queen was moved from Buckingham Palace more than two weeks ago aftee a footman came down with the virus.
Viewing figures last night were expected to overhaul the 27million who tuned in to hear Boris Johnson order restrictions in movement and partial lockdown on March 23.
And in these moments of national crisis could even have overhauled the 32.3million who saw England win the 1966 World Cup.
It is understood the address had been written by the Queen and senior aides including Sir Edward Young.
‘WE WILL MEET AGAIN’
HOAR understands the Queen spoke with Prince Charles who is in Birkhall after contracting the virus about the wording.
The draft was sent to PM Boris Johnson following talks in recent weeks between Number 10 and the Royal Family.
But HOAR understands there was no political pressure in the Royal Family to make a speech.
Extraordinary efforts were made to keep the Queen safe from the virus – after she left Buckingham Palace more than two weeks ago to isolate with Prince Philip.
Only one camera man was allowed in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle when she spoke and all other crew were outside and linked to speakers.
It is only the fifth time in national crisis or celebration that the Queen has addressed the nation.
She called for swift victory after ground troops entered Iraq in 1991 and praised Prince Diana in a live address from Buckingham Palace balcony the night before her funeral in 1997.
In 2002 the Queen thanked condolences from the nation after the death of Queen Mother and addressed the country in 2012 on her Diamond Jubilee.
