London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, May 31, 2025

Why the Queen's message will be about unity

Why the Queen's message will be about unity

It was always a question of when, not if, the Queen would speak.

Not because there is any rule to these broadcasts. There have been four, in very different circumstances.

The beginning of the land war in Iraq in 1991; the death of Diana, Princess of Wales; the death of the Queen's mother; and a brief message of thanks after the celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

They are not requested by the government, the Palace discreetly corrects those who suggest that. They are made after agreement between Downing Street and Buckingham Palace.

The Royal Family has had a low profile in this period of national crisis, Palace officials are aware of that. Partly it has been of necessity - the Queen and Prince Charles are both over 70 and have had to follow government advice to self-isolate.

In a more "normal" crisis William and Kate might have been more visible. But the government's request that people avoid all but essential travel has meant that their appearance at hospitals or amongst other key workers would have sent very confusing signals

Similarly, a broadcast from the Queen in the earliest weeks of the pandemic might have got in the way of the government's urgent messaging.

There may be no rule for the timing of these broadcasts but there is a thread that binds them.

The Queen and the Royal Family have many roles: constitutional, ceremonial, the fun stuff like Garden Parties, visits to towns and cities, support for charitable causes.

But over all of it hangs one idea, to unify. To provide a rallying point of some form in a nation of startling variety.

When the nation is divided, the Queen does not speak, that is for the government and opposition to thrash out.

There was no broadcast during the Iraq War in 2003, nor during the invasion of Egypt in the Suez Crisis of 1956. Both involved the Armed Forces that serve in the Queen's name. But both saw bitter divisions in the country.

Nor, when power cuts came and went and industrial action roiled the country in the 1970s, did she speak.

Calls for unity at such times could easily be interpreted as supporting one side or another.

But the situation today is very different.

The Queen does not suffer the same challenges as those cooped up in small flats and houses, those unemployed or facing unemployment. She is in Windsor where there is more than enough space to relax.

But her son, Prince Charles, has been infected with Covid-19.

And through the state papers she receives every day, through newspapers and broadcasting, she is as aware as anyone in the land of the immense challenges that so many people face.

Do not expect her to be the National Nanny. Requests for hand washing and remaining at home will be left to the government.

Instead she will project the calm determination that she believes is part of Britain's national character. As she did when she spoke after her mother's death, she is likely to give thanks as well.

And as sovereign of a nation that enjoys its history, a look back to previous challenges is to be expected.

But mainly this message will be about unity. About coming together in a time of national struggle.

Unity is what these broadcasts are about, and what the Royal Family is meant to be for. And unity will be the message come Sunday.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
Russia's Fossil Fuel Revenues Approach €900 Billion Since Ukraine Invasion
U.S. Justice Department Reduces American Bar Association's Role in Judicial Nominations
U.S. Department of Energy Unveils 'Doudna' Supercomputer to Advance AI Research
U.S. SEC Dismisses Lawsuit Against Binance Amid Regulatory Shift
Alcohol Industry Faces Increased Scrutiny Amid Health Concerns
Italy Faces Population Decline Amid Youth Emigration
U.S. Goods Imports Plunge Nearly 20% Amid Tariff Disruptions
OpenAI Faces Competition from Cheaper AI Rivals
Foreign Tax Provision in U.S. Budget Bill Alarms Investors
Trump Accuses China of Violating Trade Agreement
Gerry Adams Wins Libel Case Against BBC
Russia Accuses Serbia of Supplying Arms to Ukraine
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
Chinese Woman Dies After Being Forced to Visit Bank Despite Critical Illness
President Trump Grants Full Pardons to Reality TV Stars Todd and Julie Chrisley
Texas Enacts App Store Accountability Act Mandating Age Verification
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Vatican Calls for Sustainable Tourism in 2025 Message
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
Trump Threatens 25% Tariff on iPhones Amid Dispute with Apple CEO
Putin's Helicopter Reportedly Targeted by Ukrainian Drones
Liverpool Car Ramming Incident Leaves Multiple Injured
Australia Faces Immigration Debate Following Labor Party Victory
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Founder Warns Against Trusting Regime in Nuclear Talks
Macron Dismisses Viral Video of Wife's Gesture as Playful Banter
Cleveland Clinic Study Questions Effectiveness of Recent Flu Vaccine
Netanyahu Accuses Starmer of Siding with Hamas
Junior Doctors Threaten Strike Over 4% Pay Offer
Labour MPs Urge Chancellor to Tax Wealthy Over Cutting Welfare
Publication of UK Child Poverty Strategy Delayed Until Autumn
France Detains UK Fishing Vessel Amid Post-Brexit Tensions
Calls Grow to Resume Syrian Asylum Claims in UK
Nigel Farage Pledges to Reinstate Winter Fuel Payments
Boris and Carrie Johnson Welcome Daughter Poppy
×