Global EditionASIA 中文双语Français
World
Home / World / Europe

Queen Elizabeth says nation will succeed in fight against novel coronavirus

By Bo Leung in London | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2020-04-06 03:00
Share
Share - WeChat

Queen Elizabeth addressed the United Kingdom in a televised speech on Sunday, describing the novel coronavirus crisis as "an increasingly challenging time", but said the nation "will succeed" in the fight against the disease.

In a pre-recorded message delivered from Windsor Castle, the queen said: "if we remain united and resolute" in the face of the outbreak, then "we will overcome it".

She also thanked NHS workers, care workers and those "carrying out essential roles, who selflessly continue their day-to-day duties outside the home in support of us all".

"I am 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."

The monarch also thanked those who were staying at home and "helping to protect the vulnerable and sparing many families the pain already felt by those who have lost loved ones".

"Together we are tackling this disease, and I want to reassure you that if we remain united and resolute, then we will overcome it," she said in the speech. "I hope in the years to come everyone will be able to take pride in how they responded to this challenge."

Buckingham Palace handout image of Britain's Queen Elizabeth during her address to the nation and the Commonwealth in relation to the coronavirus epidemic (COVID-19), recorded at Windsor Castle, Britain April 5, 2020. [Photo/Agencies]

Apart from her Christmas messages, this is only the queen's fifth special televised broadcast during her reign.

Her message also highlighted the nationwide applause given for NHS workers and essential workers, and pictures of rainbows drawn by children.

She said: "Across the Commonwealth and around the world, we have seen heart-warming stories of people coming together to help others, be it through delivering food parcels and medicines, checking on neighbours, or converting businesses to help the relief effort."

The queen also recalled her first broadcast in 1940 alongside her sister Princess Margaret. "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," she said, adding that "now, as then, we know, deep down, that it is the right thing to do".

The queen said the challenge of fighting the coronavirus is different from other difficulties faced before, but "this time we join with all nations across the globe in a common endeavour, using the great advances of science and our instinctive compassion to heal".

She concluded, "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.

Most Viewed in 24 Hours
Top
BACK TO THE TOP
English
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.
License for publishing multimedia online 0108263

Registration Number: 130349
FOLLOW US