In a rare televised speech, The Queen of England addressed the nation regarding the fight against coronavirus. She thanked healthcare workers, individuals heading the “shelter-in-place” guidelines, as well as those practicing social distancing.
She also acknowledged that the national lockdown is creating economic stress on individuals and families.
“I am speaking to you at what I know is an increasingly challenging time. 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 said. “I want to thank everyone on the [National Health Service] frontline, as well as care workers and those carrying out essential roles, who selflessly continue the day-to-day duties outside their homes.”
“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,” the Queen said.
"We will succeed and that success will belong to every one of us"
The Queen delivers a rallying message to the UK in its fight against coronavirus, thanking healthcare workers as well as people for staying at home and following government ruleshttps://t.co/Ku4DOhcotY pic.twitter.com/wdBsaFQjeQ
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) April 5, 2020
This is the fourth televised event broadcasted by the Queen in her 65-year reign, excluding special Christmas announcements. Her rare television appearance comes as U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson was hospitalized after being diagnosed with COVID-19.
Johnson announced his coronavirus diagnosis on March 27, but was admitted to the hospital on the advice of his doctor on Sunday.
“This is a precautionary step, as the Prime Minister continues to have persistent symptoms of coronavirus 10 days after testing positive for the virus,” a spokesperson for Johnson said.
The Queen did not comment on Johnson’s illness in her speech. She concluded on a note of hope and good faith.
“We will succeed. And that success will belong to every one of us. 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,” the Queen said.
