Great Britain has been in lockdown for nearly two weeks because of the coronavirus pandemic. The country needed a message of hope. On Sunday, Queen Elizabeth II delivered it, promising the nation would rise to the challenge and overcome the outbreak.
These days many people need hope. Christians have the certain hope of eternal life—so they can attack each day with a renewed vigor and strength. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13)
In a rare address, the 93-year-old monarch acknowledged the suffering of many families due to the COVID-19 crisis. The virus has infected more than 47,806 people in the UK—with nearly 5,000 deaths. She drew upon wisdom from decades as Britain’s head of state to urge resolve in a time of crisis.
“While we have faced challenges before, this one is different,” she says. “This time, we join with all nations across the globe in a common endeavor. We will succeed—and that success will belong to every one of us.”
The queen gives yearly Christmas messages. But she has given only three previous addresses like this: after the Queen Mother’s death in 2002; before the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1997; and at the time of the 1991Gulf War.
The queen’s remarks came moments before Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s office announced he had been admitted to the hospital for “precautionary tests.” The prime minister was still running a fever about 10 days after notifying the public that he had tested positive for the virus.
The queen lauded Britain’s medical teams and military as they battle the virus. She also praised everyday citizens who are adhering to the terms of the lockdown and staying at home to help prevent the virus from spreading further.
“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 who have lost loved ones,” she said.
The crisis has hit close to home for the queen. Her son and the heir to the throne, 71-year-old Prince Charles, had a mild case of the disease. She herself left London, the epicenter of Britain’s outbreak, and took up residence at her home in Windsor with her husband Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.
Leadership expert James O’Rourke believes the monarch’s remarks didn’t come a moment too soon. With Johnson ill, the queen’s message offers stability to the country.
“Britons have not faced such grim circumstances since the darkest days of World War II,” O’Rourke says. “Now, more than ever, the people of the UK must have someone to rely upon, someone whose word they can trust.”
“I hope in the years to come everyone will be able to take pride in how they responded to this challenge,” the queen said. “Those who come after us will say that the Britons of this generation were as strong as any.”
(Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II addresses the nation and the Commonwealth from Windsor Castle, Windsor, England, on Sunday, April 5, 2020. Buckingham Palace via AP)
