Queen Elizabeth II of the UK: "We Will Meet Again After Overcoming COVID-19"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, aged 93, emphasized to the British people suffering from the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), "We will overcome this, and such success will belong to all of us." Aside from her annual Christmas messages, this is only the fifth time she has delivered a public address during her 68 years on the throne.

According to BBC and other sources on the 5th (local time), Queen Elizabeth II said in a public speech broadcast on TV and other media, "We have faced challenges before, but this time is different," adding, "We will face the epidemic together, and if we stand firmly united, we will overcome it." The Queen praised the people staying at home in accordance with government guidelines and expressed gratitude to key workers such as the National Health Service (NHS), who are striving to return to normalcy.

The Queen’s public address was exceptional, reflecting the serious recognition of the current situation. Aside from the annual Christmas messages, she has only delivered public addresses related to specific matters five times since her accession in February 1952, including this one. In the past, the Queen gave public speeches at the start of the Iraq War in February 1991, just before the funeral of her daughter-in-law Princess Diana in September 1997, upon the death of her mother Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in April 2002, and on the 60th anniversary of her accession in June 2012. This suggests that she recognized the gravity of the COVID-19 crisis and felt the need to communicate with the public.

The Queen recalled, "I remember my first radio broadcast with my younger sister while evacuated in 1940," reflecting on her experience during World War II. She emphasized, "Today, once again, many people are separated from their loved ones and feeling pain," but added, "We know that this is the right thing to do." She continued, "We still have more to endure, but better times will come," and "We will meet again with friends and family."

Seemingly aware of world leaders likening the COVID-19 crisis to 'wartime,' she evoked the British national singer Vera Lynn’s song, popular during World War II, "We Will Meet Again," delivering a message of overcoming the crisis. BBC noted that the Queen, who has memories of World War II, focused on personal childhood memories rather than mentioning the conflict itself, emphasizing public effort over struggle and conflict.

Queen Elizabeth II is currently staying at Windsor Castle near London with her husband, Prince Philip. This special public TV address was pre-recorded in the White Drawing Room of Windsor Castle, and the cameraman who filmed it was fully equipped with protective gear such as a mask and maintained a safe distance from the Queen during filming.