Resolute Queen tells nation in lockdown 'we will meet again' in rare TV address

In a rare televised address, the head of state warned the nation – which now enters its third week of lockdown and has seen thousands of people die after contracting Covid-19 – ‘may have more still to endure’.

But she echoed the words of forces' sweetheart Dame Vera Lynne's Second World War anthem, when she said ‘we will meet again’

Speaking from Windsor Castle, the monarch personally thanked frontline NHS staff, care workers and others for ‘selflessly’ carrying out their essential roles which had brought ‘us closer to a return to more normal times’.

It comes as the number of people to die with the virus in the UK reached 4,934.

The Queen said: ‘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.

‘Together we are tackling this disease, and I want to reassure you that if we remain united and resolute, then we will overcome it.’

Dame Vera helped rally the nation during wartime with her songs, especially We'll Meet Again which became a significant tune for servicemen fighting abroad and those at home separated from loved ones.

The Queen, who is from the wartime generation, said: ‘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’s message has been welcomed by politicians from across the Portsmouth area.

Attorney general and Fareham MP, Suella Braverman told The News: ‘I was very moved and inspired by the Queen’s speech last night.

‘This is a most worrying and difficult time for all of us but her message of determination and optimism will have helped to remind us that this will come to an end and until then we must do all we can to save lives.’

Culture minister Caroline Dineage said the monarch’s words were a morale boost for the nation.

The Gosport MP said: ‘The Queen’s message was the one we all needed to hear. Calm, resolved, offering quiet reassurance. She has an almost unique ability to unite the country and is certainly the voice of experience, so when she said “we’ll meet again” we believe her.’

While former defence secretary and paymaster general Penny Mordaunt said the Queen’s address had helped to harden British resolve as the nation approached the peak of the pandemic.

‘It was designed to give us comfort and confidence,’ the Portsmouth North MP told The News.

‘To prepare us for the trials and sadness to come but remind us we will prevail. I know it moved many people and I was one of them. Thank you ma’am.’

Stephen Morgan, Portsmouth South MP, said everyone had their part to play in stopping the spread of coronavirus.

He added: ‘The tone of Her Majesty’s address last night embodied the nation’s determination to defeat coronavirus and reflected the unprecedented challenge our city and our country face.’

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