The Queen addresses the Commonwealth and says ‘we will succeed’ in coronavirus fight

The Queen had a special message for Australians amid the coronavirus pandemic at the back of a summer of devastating bushfires, and invoked a wartime spirit in her historic address to the Commonwealth.

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The Queen has called on Australians to “rise to the challenge” of the coronavirus pandemic, after a summer of devastating bushfires.

Elizabeth, 93, said people across the Commonwealth were experiencing a profound and rapid change to their lives, the pain of lost loved ones and an understandable concern about the future.

“Whilst it can be difficult to remain hopeful in such challenging times, especially following the summer’s devastating bushfires and recent flooding, I am confident that the stoic and resilient nature of the Australian people will rise to the challenge,” she said in a statement today.

“I extend my sincere admiration to the many Australians who work tirelessly to help those affected, provide essential services for their fellow citizens, and continue to care for the most vulnerable.”

The Queen was speaking from Windsor Castle where she is in isolation with her husband Prince Philip, 98.

Queen Elizabeth II addresses the Commonwealth in a special broadcast in relation to the coronavirus outbreak. Picture: Getty Images

Earlier, she invoked the spirit of World War II in a rare television address to the British people, telling her subjects they would overcome the coronavirus outbreak if they stayed resolute in the face of lockdown and self-isolation.

The Queen invoked the spirit of the blitz as she lifted the hopes of the Commonwealth during the coronavirus crisis with a bold declaration: “We will succeed.”

Her Majesty said that the world would come together to overcome COVID-19, pointing to an address she gave in 1940 to children who had been evacuated because of the London bombings.

And she echoed the line from the World War Two song made famous by Vera Lynn saying: “We will meet again.”

“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 four-minute speech, which royal sources say was written by the Queen with input from No. 10 Downing Street, included images of how the nation was responding.

There was footage of the doctors and nurses risking their lives to help COVID-19 patients, warehouse staff keeping people fed and goods moving, and the military who have built a 4000-bed hospital in East London in nine days during the message.

Her Majesty The Queen addresses the UK and the Commonwealth in a special broadcast recorded at Windsor Castle. pic.twitter.com/HjO1uiV1Tm

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) April 5, 2020

The Queen thanked health workers, and pointed to the national British gesture of the Clap for Carers of the National Health Service, which has been happening each Thursday at 8pm.

And she also made mention of the rainbows that children had been drawing and placing in windows as another sign of hope in these dark times.

Val Cloke sits in her living room in the village of Hartley Wintney, west of London, and watches the Queen’s speech. Picture: AFP

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The Queen traditionally delivers a Christmas message but the last time she addressed the nation in this way was after the death of her mother in 2002, and before then after the death of Princess Diana in 1997.

More than 1.25 million people have now tested positive for COVID-19, with 68,148 deaths so far.

Church services across the world have been cancelled during the health crisis, but the Queen, the head of the Church of England, said ahead of what would have been Easter celebrations this week that it did provide a time to pause and reflect.

Queen Elizabeth II speaks to Prime Minister Boris Johnson from Windsor Castle. Picture: Kensington Palace via Getty Images

“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,” she said.

“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.

“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.”

The Queen also acknowledged the “grief” some have experienced, the “financial difficulties” many face and the “enormous changes” the country was enduring.

Originally published as The Queen addresses the Commonwealth and says ‘we will succeed’ in coronavirus fight