Many revered Queen Elizabeth II’s ability to unite the United Kingdom in times of crisis through powerful addresses which cemented her as a source of strength and stability for the nation.
As Britain’s longest serving monarch, she navigated the royal family into the 21st century and through her elegant and warm demeanour helped revolutionise public perception of the monarchy.
Her majesty remained committed to delivering an annual Christmas address – with the exception of 1969 – and spoke to the nation when they navigated new challenges.
In recent years, her addresses were keenly marked on calendars and adored by residents – as well as citizens across the Commonwealth – for their rare glimpses into the Queen’s personality.
But it was at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic that, according to Piers Morgan, her seven decades of experience on the throne really shone through as she delivered a comforting and uplifting address to the nation, as well as the world.
Morgan took to twitter following the coronavirus speech to hail it as her majesty’s “finest moment as our Monarch”.
“A magnificent speech from a magnificent lady. Thank you, Your Majesty – this was your finest moment as our Monarch,” Piers Morgan said in April 2020.
In another tweet he said the speech exemplified her “remarkable gift” as a leader.
“The Queen displayed the extraordinary power tonight of one word: EXPERIENCE,” Mr Morgan said.
The Queen displayed the extraordinary power tonight of one word: EXPERIENCE. No world leader on earth, of any kind, has more than she does. That’s why she always knows exactly what to say. It’s a remarkable gift. pic.twitter.com/pMX9aOA8Py
The Queen’s speech was a rare address in which she thanked NHS workers for their heroic efforts and praised the country for tackling the “challenging time” with “good-humour”.
“I am speaking to you at what I know is an increasingly challenging time,” Queen Elizabeth II said in April 2020.
“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.”
“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-humoured resolve and of fellow-feeling still characterise this country.”
Having lived through World War II, she sympathised with the pain of families and drew parallels to her first broadcast as Princess with sister Margaret during the war in 1940.
ð§ð§In 1940 The Queen â then Princess Elizabeth â spoke to the children of the Commonwealth during a BBC Childrenâs Hour broadcast, with sister Margaret at her side, reassuring children – many of whom had been evacuated – that all would be well. pic.twitter.com/ypDlFBvoB7
“We, as children, spoke from here at Windsor to children who had been evacuated from their homes and sent away for their own safety,” her Majesty said.
“Today, once again, many will feel a painful sense of separation from their loved ones.”
Her majesty quoted “We’ll meet again” in the closing lines of her address – a song released in 1939 and sung by Dame Vera Lynn – to drive her point home.
It resonated with soldiers who had to leave their families and fight for England and its moving words were again used to unite those separated from loved ones.
“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,” her majesty said.
During the pandemic many sought comfort in the address in the months that followed while separated from loved ones and faced with the uncertainty of a rampant virus.
Two years on as the world mourns her death, they once again can turn to Queen Elizabeth II for solace from their grief in the majesty’s own words: “Grief is the price we pay for love.”