I am speaking to you at what I know is an increasingly challenging time.A time of disruption in the
life of our coutury:a discuption that has brought grief to some,financial difficulties to many,and
enormous changes to the daily lives of us all.
I want to thank everyone on the NHS front line.As well as care wrokers and those carring 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 return to more normal times.
I also want to thank those of you who are staying at home,thereby helping to protect the vulnerable
and sparing many families the pain already felt by those have lost loved ones.
Together we are tacking this disease,and I want to reassure you that if we remain united and
resolute,then we wil overcome it.
I hope in the years to come everyone will be able to take pride in how the responded to this
challenge.And those who come after us will say the Britons fo this generiation were as strong as any
That the attributes of self-discipline,of quiet good-humoured resolve and of fellow-feeling still
characterise this country.The price in who we are is not a part of our past,it defines our present
and our future.
The moments when we United Kingdom has come together to applaud its care and essental workers will
be remembered as an expression of our national spirit;and its symbol will be the rainbows drawn by
children.
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.
And though self-isolating may at times be hard,many people fo all faiths,and of none,are dicovering
that it presents an opportunity to show down,pause and reflict,in prayer or meditation.
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.
While we have faced challenges before,this on is different.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.
We will succeed - and that succee 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.
But for now,I send my thanks and warmest good wished to you ail.