Queen Elizabeth II just gave a rousing speech in response to the coronavirus pandemic, attempting to reassure U.K. residents with a rare, televised address to the nation. However, her words seemed to speak to everyone facing this difficult, unprecedented time.
“I am speaking to you at what I know is an increasingly challenging time,” the Queen said on Sunday. “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.”
The Queen’s own son, Prince Charles, has been diagnosed with COVID-19 but is reportedly “on the other side” of the illness after only experiencing minor symptoms.
“Together we are tackling this disease, and I want to reassure you that if we remain united and resolute, then we will overcome it,” the Queen also said in her address. “I hope in the years to come everyone will be able to take pride in how they responded to this challenge.”
Like Prince William and Kate Middleton, who visited first responders before beginning their self-isolation, the Queen made sure to thank those on the frontlines of this pandemic.
“I want to thank everyone on the NHS frontline, 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,” she said. “I’m sure the nation will join me in ensuring you that what you do is appreciated and every hour of your hard work brings us closer to a return to more normal times.”
“I also want to thank those of you who are staying at home,” the Queen added, “thereby protecting to help the vulnerable and sparing many families the pain already felt by those who have lost loved ones. Together we are tackling this disease and I want to reassure you that if we remain united in resolute then we will overcome it.”
She finished the speech in a particularly hopeful manner. “We can take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return,” she said. “We will be with our friends again. We will be with our families again. We will meet again.”
According to the BBC, this is only the fifth time in history that the 93-year-old Queen has addressed the nation outside of her annual Christmas greeting. She spoke from the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle, allegedly chosen because it allowed for enough space between the monarch and her cameraperson, who wore protective gear. Watch the full speech, below:
Beyond the flood of positive comments on The Royal Family’s Instagram post, the Queen was trending on Twitter, with viewers from England and beyond feeling profoundly impacted by Queen Elizabeth II’s words. “It’s so very strange as an American to feel profoundly more encouraged and hopeful watching a rare address from Queen Elizabeth, an unelected monarch in a country halfway around the world, than I ever would from anything Trump has said in this crisis,” Charlotte Clymer tweeted. Here are some more reactions.
Long live the Queen, indeed.
