Queen to tell Brits ‘we’re in this together’ as she addresses the nation on UK coronavirus crisis
THE Queen is expected to tell the nation "we are all in this together" in a special broadcast on the coronavirus outbreak on Sunday, Buckingham Palace has said.
Her Majesty will address the nation as the deadly bug continues to spread across the UK, already claiming more than 3,000 lives.
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It is thought she will praise NHS staff and issue a rallying cry of: "We are in this together – and we will all get through it together, too."
She issued a statement when she left London two weeks ago, but aides said the Queen knows "the best time" to make a rare TV address.
They told the Daily Mail: "Her Majesty makes these television addresses very rarely so it’s important for her to choose the right moment to do so.
‘As terrible as everything feels, we are only just in the early stages of this pandemic and the Queen has a very good sense of timing for these things to ensure that the most significant impact is felt. She will know the best time."
Friday's latest figures showed another 684 deaths in the United Kingdom, the biggest daily rise, with the toll now at 3,645.
Expectation has been growing about when the head of state would make a public statement about the unprecedented events that have seen the country go into lockdown to combat the pandemic.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement: "Her Majesty The Queen has recorded a special broadcast to the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth in relation to the coronavirus outbreak.
"The televised address will be broadcast at 8pm on Sunday 5th April, 2020.
"The address was recorded at Windsor Castle."
RARE ADDRESS
It is rare for the Queen to address the nation other than her annual Christmas Day message.
She has previously only addressed the nation on TV on four other occasions.
She spoke on TV for her 21st birthday in 1947 and also spoke during the Gulf War in 1991, on the eve of her mother's funeral in 2002.
The Queen also issued a live address from Buckingham Palace after the death of Princess Diana in September 1997.
The 93-year-old is currently staying at Windsor Castle with husband Prince Philip.
She left for Windsor two weeks ago - one week earlier than planned as the government issued the strict lockdown laws.
Prince Philip, 98, flew from Sandringham to be with her, with the couple expected to remain there for quite some time.
But despite self-isolating, the Queen has remained busy with her royal duties.
She even continued with her weekly audience with the PM - speaking to him over the phone.
And the precaution appears to have been wise after Boris Johnson later confirmed he had contracted the deadly bug.
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And it was revealed last week that a footman in regular contact with the Queen has tested positive for coronavirus.
The servant, whose duties included walking the monarch’s dogs, was sent home and is self-isolating in the hope of fighting off the virus.
Buckingham Palace has previously confirmed the Queen was in good health.
It is also understood she is following all the appropriate advice with regards to her welfare.
The announcement of a national address comes after Prince Charles again resumed his royal duties after contracting the virus.
The 71-year-old had to self-isolate in Scotland after testing positive.
But the future king today officially opened the new NHS Nightingale Hospital in London - appearing via videolink.
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Speaking from his Scottish home of Birkhall, Prince Charles said his thoughts and prayers would be with the patients who needed treatment for the deadly bug.
He told the crowd, which stood apart according to social distancing rules: "It is without doubt a spectacular and almost unbelievable feat of work in every sense – from its speed of construction as we’ve heard to its size and the skills of those who have created it.
"An example, if ever one was needed of how the impossible can be made possible and how we can achieve the unthinkable through human will and ingenuity."
