The Queen addresses her mortality in powerful message to climate summit in Glasgow

The Queen made a rare comment about her mortality as she delivered an emotionally charged message to world leaders via video at the Glasgow climate summit.

The Queen has urged world leaders to act for “our children’s children” in a powerful video message to the Glasgow climate summit.

In her message, recorded after she was forced to pull out of attending in person because of ill health, the Queen said she hoped the leaders would “rise above the politics of the moment, and achieve true statesmanship”

She also recalled how her late husband Prince Philip warned of the threat of “increasingly intolerable” world pollution more than half a century ago.

“It has sometimes been observed that what leaders do for their people today is government and politics. But what they do for the people of tomorrow – that is statesmanship,” she said.

Queen Elizabeth appeared via video at the COP26 climate summit. Picture: Alberto Pezzali

“I, for one, hope that this conference will be one of those rare occasions where everyone will have the chance to rise above the politics of the moment, and achieve true statesmanship.”

“It is the hope of many that the legacy of this summit – written in history books yet to be printed – will describe you as the leaders who did not pass up the opportunity; and that you answered the call of those future generations,” the Queen said.

“That you left this conference as a community of nations with a determination, a desire and a plan to address the impact of climate change; and to recognise that the time for words has now moved to the time for action.

The Queen has addressed her own mortality in an emotional video address on climate change. Picture: AFP

“Of course, the benefits of such actions will not be there to enjoy for all of us here today: we none of us will live forever.

“But we are doing this not for ourselves but for our children and our children’s children, and those who will follow in their footsteps.”

The Queen’s speech was an emotional and highly political call to arms to world leaders on climate change, warning that the future of younger generations are in their hands.

‘SAFER FUTURE’

Her Majesty was due to speak at the summit in person, but had to cancel due to health concerns.

It is very rare for the Queen to address her mortality directly, with the comments interpreted as a subtle acknowledgment of her recent health issues, the serious which remains unclear.

Dressed in a green dress, the Queen delivered the address from her desk in Windsor Castle alongside a framed picture of her late husband Prince Philip.

“I remember well that in 1969, he told an academic gathering, ‘If the world pollution situation is not critical at the moment, it is certain anything can be, that the situation will become increasingly intolerable within a very short time … If we fail to cope with this challenge, all the other problems will pale into insignificance’.

“In the coming days, the world has the chance to join in the shared objective of creating a safer, stabler future for our people and for the planet on which we depend.”

World leaders pictured watching a video message from the Queen in Glasgow. Picture: Alberto Pezzali

The Queen also spoke of her son Prince Charles and grandson Prince William, describing the pair as her “great pride” as they take on the baton to campaign for the planet - making no mention of her other grandson, Prince Harry.

“It is a source of great pride to me that the leading role my husband played in encouraging people to protect our fragile planet lies on through the work of our eldest son Charles and his eldest son William. I could not be more proud of them.”

The Queen also made a rare political statement, urging world leaders to step up during the fortnight-long Glasgow talks.

“For more than seventy years, I have been lucky to meet and to know many of the world’s great leaders. And I have perhaps come to understand a little about what made them special,” she said.

“It has sometimes been observed that what leaders do for their people today is government and politics. But what they do for the people of tomorrow, that is statesmanship.

“I, for one, hope that this conference will be one of those rare occasions where everyone will have a chance to rise above the politics of the moment, and achieve true statesmanship.”

QUEEN’S RETURN

The Queen’s climate speech came as she was potted behind the wheel in Windsor this morning during a two-week break from duties.

In photos obtained by The Sun, the 95-year-old monarch wearing her signature headscarf and a pair of dark glasses looked alert and well after she cancelled all public engagements on doctors’ orders.

Her Majesty was seen driving her green five-door Jaguar – usually used to ferry her beloved corgis – on Monday morning, local time.

Queen Elizabeth, pictured behind the wheel earlier this year. Picture: Getty Images

Her appearance comes days after she was told by her private medics to rest after spending a night in hospital for “preliminary investigations”.

She was later discharged in “good spirits”, and the stay was kept a secret and only confirmed by the Palace when it was revealed by The Sun.

However, she then cancelled a planned appearance at the COP26 summit in Glasgow, and while The Sun reports she still receives daily red boxes of Government documents, the royal has decided to rest until mid-November.

The new photos are reassuring to royal watchers who are concerned for the Queen’s health and appear to confirm UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s comment that she was “on very good form”.

Queen Elizabeth II has been advised to cut back on official engagements and restrict her duties to desk-based and video appointments only. Picture: Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II is in good spirits, Mr Johnson stressed on Saturday after doctors advised the monarch to rest for at least another fortnight.

Following the latest advice, Buckingham Palace said she would continue to carry out desk-based duties and some virtual audiences but no official visits in the next two weeks.

“I spoke to Her Majesty and she’s on very good form,” Mr Johnson told UK broadcaster Channel 4 in Rome, while he was attending the weekend G20 summit.

“She’s just got to follow the advice of her doctors and get some rest, and I think that’s the important thing. I think the whole country wishes her well.”

The change of pace for Britain’s longest-serving monarch, who is due to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee marking 70 years on the throne in 2022 and is known for her steadfast commitment to royal duties, is rare.

Buckingham Palace said in its latest statement that it remained her “firm intention” to attend the national service of remembrance for British war veterans on 14 November.

Originally published as The Queen addresses her mortality in powerful message to climate summit in Glasgow