On 8pm BST tonight, Queen Elizabeth II will be making an address as the United Kingdom and the world continues its uphill fight against the novel coronavirus. She had only delivered a special announcement of this nature four times in her 68-year reign.
The previous instances which she gave special addresses is yet another evidence to the severity of the situation. Beginning with her 1991 address regarding the Gulf War, she famously delivered a solemn response after Princess Diana’s fatal car accident in 1997.
Five years later, she gave an address after her mother passed away. The last address was in 2012 after her 60-year reign celebrations.
The Queen will be addressing her people from the White Drawing Room. She and Prince Phillip have also been practicing self-quarantine since the outbreak of the coronavirus.
Only a sole cameraman fully equipped with protective gears is to be present while she gives the address. The address will be televised and put on radio, along with the royal family’s social network services.
The contents of the address will mainly focus on praising the hard work that the healthcare workers have been doing, along with words of encouragement to the British public.
“And those who come after us will say that 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” is one line that the Queen will be delivering.
The Queen’s address comes as the coronavirus claimed the lives of 708 Britons in one day. It was the largest daily death toll for the UK. A 5 year old child – the youngest in Europe – was also a victim of the virus.
Whether her address will help with the morale of the Britons is of course uncertain as of yet. However, famously serving as a mechanic during WWII, the Queen and her messages do carry more weight than those from contemporary politicians.
Royal addresses hold a special place in the hearts of many Britons. George VI, father of the current Queen, is credited for rallying his people together as Nazi bombers swarmed the night skies of London.
The royal aides and government officials are fully aware that they only have one chance to create magic. Initially, the address was scheduled to take place over the Easter weekends. Yet as situations quickly exacerbated, it was rescheduled to take place today.
In a time where more people are getting cynical about the royals, will this address be a turning point? Share with us your thoughts and comments on this issue. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook for more news like this one.
Replaced!