In times of concern and crisis, many of us turn to our loved ones: family and friends. But we also turn to our leaders, a fact that they are quite cognizant of. Sunday night, a stoic Queen Elizabeth took to the internet to provide solace and comfort to Britons and, honestly, to the world.
Queen Elizabeth doesn't give a lot of speeches. It might seem like you're always seeing her out and about, and that's because you are — she typically has a very full calendar. But apart from her annual Christmas address each December, we don't usually get messages from her addressing any event, crisis or not.
That's what makes this moment even more special. Queen Elizabeth recognizes that her voice is needed right now and that she might be able to bring comfort to people who are worried. Her speech is also a powerful reminder that the health crisis right now is impacting people everywhere.
Elizabeth began her speech by addressing health care workers and people at the front lines: "I’m 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. 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."
As in many other countries in the world, British citizens have been especially proud and supportive of their health care workers right now. Queen Elizabeth also acknowledged the sacrifices that many health care workers are making:
"I’m 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. 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 then spoke directly to British citizens about how they would band together and overcome this threat:
"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, 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-humored resolve, and of fellow feeling still characterize this country. The pride in who we are is not a part of our past, it defines our present and our future."
She pointed out that the spirit of children will help anyone carry through. Children around the world have been putting rainbows in the windows of their homes, in a move that is meant to inspire a little bit of cheer.
"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."
She also said that this moment offers everyone the opportunity to slow down a bit:
"Across the Commonwealth and around the world, we have seen heartwarming stories of people coming together to help others, be it through delivering food parcels and medicines, checking on neighbors, 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."
Of course, this moment reminded the Queen of the first time she and Princess Margaret addressed the nation in this way, back in 1940:
"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."
She also said that right now, more than ever, it's important to band together with nations around the world:
"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 endeavor. "
After all, we really are all in this together. In times of crisis, it's important that the world offers up each nation's resources and great minds to one another so we can all overcome the situation.
"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. We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return."
She concluded on a hopeful note, pointing out that one day, this will pass:
"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."
A few people have wondered how the Queen was able to film the address with the current social distancing guidelines that are in place for much of the world. The Guardian reports that the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle was chosen because it could accommodate the requirements: "It had to be big enough to allow sufficient distance between her and the sole BBC cameraman, who was the only other person in the room and was wearing PPE (personal protective equipment). All other technical staff were located in another room and connected by speakers."
A senior palace official explained that Elizabeth knew she needed to speak to everyone right now: "The prime minister and Her Majesty the Queen have been speaking regularly and No 10 and Buckingham Palace have been speaking throughout about Her Majesty the Queen’s address. The Queen is the best judge of when to talk to the country and we absolutely agree that now is the right time."
The official went on to explain that this kind of address is what the British public sorely needed: "We have asked the country to make huge sacrifices and life is very difficult at the moment for a great many people. Hearing from Her Majesty the Queen at this time is an important way of helping to lift the nation’s spirits."
