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On Tuesday 28 April, it was announced that the Queen is to make a special televised address to the nation on VE Day.
The rare speech will mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day, otherwise known as 'Victory in Europe Day' which commemorates the day towards the end of the Second World War when fighting against Nazi Germany in Europe came to an end.
“At a time when many are looking for unity and hope, the BBC will bring households together to remember the past, pay tribute to the Second World War generation and honour our heroes both then and now,” said Tony Hall, BBC director general.
Here is everything you need to know about the speech, from when it will occur to how you can watch.
When is it taking place?
The address is scheduled to occur on Friday 8 May, taking place at 9pm in the evening – the exact time her father, King George VI, made his radio address to the nation in 1945 to announce victory in Europe after what he called “nearly six years of suffering and peril”.
It will be broadcast to members of the public in the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth.
How can I watch?
The message will be shown on broadcast on BBC One, in addition to being aired on the radio.
Created with Sketch.
Created with Sketch.
1/11 Amid the coronavirus pandemic
In a special address to the UK and the Commonwealth amid the coronavirus pandemic on 5 April 2020, the Queen said:
“While we have faced challenges before, this one 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 success 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.”
PA
2/11 After two tragic events in the UK
In 2017, the year that saw the terror attack in Manchester and Grenfell fire, the Queen reflected on the idea of home in her Christmas Day speech, saying:
“We think of our homes as places of warmth, familiarity and love; of shared stories and memories, which is perhaps why at this time of year so many return to where they grew up. There is a timeless simplicity to the pull of home.
“For many, the idea of “home” reaches beyond a physical building – to a home town or city...
“We expect our homes to be a place of safety – ‘sanctuary’ even – which makes it all the more shocking when the comfort they provide is shattered.”
AFP via Getty Images
3/11 In a year with major disasters around the world
After a year where nations around the world were devastated by natural disasters – including flooding, tsunami, earthquake and hurricane – as well as the terror attack in London, the Queen said on her Christmas Day speech in 2005:
“This series of dreadful events has brought loss and suffering to so many people - and their families and friends - not only in the countries directly affected, but here in Britain and throughout the Commonwealth.
“As if these disasters were not bad enough, I have sometimes thought that humanity seemed to have turned on itself - with wars, civil disturbances and acts of brutal terrorism...
“This last year has reminded us that this world is not always an easy or a safe place to live in, but it is the only place we have.”
AFP via Getty Images
4/11 While visiting victims of the 2005 London terror attack
Following terrorist bombings in London on 8 July 2005, the Queen said during a visit to some of the victims at Royal London Hospital:
“Sadly we in Britain have been all too familiar with acts of terror and members of my generation, especially at this end of London, know that we have been here before. But those who perpetrate these brutal acts against innocent people should know that they will not change our way of life.
“Atrocities such as these simply reinforce our sense of community, our humanity, and our trust in the rule of law. That is the clear message from us all.”
AFP via Getty Images
5/11 In her Golden Jubilee year
The Queen celebrated her Golden Jubilee in 2002 with a tour of the nation as well as a summer of celebrations. On 2 June, with the Fifa World Cup in full swing, she told guests at a lunch at Guildhall:
“I am more than conscious at the moment of the importance of football. Although this weekend comes about half way through my Jubilee year, as far as we are concerned, it bears no relation to a rest at 'half-time'.
“However, I am very glad that the fiftieth anniversary of my accession is giving so many people all over this country and in the Commonwealth an excuse to celebrate and enjoy themselves.”
Getty Images
6/11 At the turn of the millennium
For her annual Christmas Day broadcast in 1999, the Queen reflected on the turn of the millennium, and the lessons we could learn, saying:
“As I look to the future I have no doubt at all that the one certainty is change - and the pace of that change will only seem to increase…
“There are many, for example, of my age or amongst the more vulnerable in society who worry that they will be left behind. The sheer rate of change seems to be sweeping away so much that is familiar and comforting.
“But I do not think that we should be over-anxious. We can make sense of the future - if we understand the lessons of the past.”
AFP via Getty Images
7/11 During her Golden Wedding Anniversary
As the Queen celebrated her Golden Wedding Anniversary on 20 November 1997, she said:
“What a remarkable fifty years they have been: for the world, for the Commonwealth and for Britain. Think what we would have missed if we had never heard the Beatles or seen Margot Fonteyn dance: never have watched television, used a mobile telephone or surfed the Net (or, to be honest, listened to other people talking about surfing the Net).
"We would never have heard someone speak from the Moon: never have watched England win the World Cup or Red Rum three Grand Nationals. We would never have heard that Everest had been scaled, DNA unravelled, the Channel tunnel built, hip replacements become commonplace. Above all, speaking personally, we would never have known the joys of having children and grandchildren."
AFP via Getty Images
8/11 Following the death of Diana, the Princess of Wales
Following the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, the Queen addressed the nation on 5 September 1997:
“We have all been trying in our different ways to cope. It is not easy to express a sense of loss, since the initial shock is often succeeded by a mixture of other feelings: disbelief, incomprehension, anger - and concern for those who remain. We have all felt those emotions in these last few days.”
AFP via Getty Images
9/11 The Royals' worst year
On 24 November 1992, the Queen marked her “annus horribilis” – during which the royal family was marked with scandals from divorce and affairs, to a devastating fire at Windsor Castle – in a speech at Guildhall to mark the 40th anniversary of her Accession. Her majesty reflected:
“I sometimes wonder how future generations will judge the events of this tumultuous year. I dare say that history will take a slightly more moderate view than that of some contemporary commentators. Distance is well-known to lend enchantment, even to the less attractive views. After all, it has the inestimable advantage of hindsight.
"But it can also lend an extra dimension to judgement, giving it a leavening of moderation and compassion - even of wisdom - that is sometimes lacking in the reactions of those whose task it is in life to offer instant opinions on all things great and small.”
AFP via Getty Images
10/11 Celebrating her Silver Jubilee
In a speech celebrating her Silver Jubilee on 4 May 1977, the Queen noted:
“These 25 years have seen much change for Britain. By virtue of tolerance and understanding, the Empire has evolved into a Commonwealth of 36 Independent Nations spanning the five Continents. No longer an Imperial Power, we have been coming to terms with what this means for ourselves and for our relations with the rest of the world.
“We have forged new links with other countries and in joining the European Economic Communities we have taken what is perhaps one of the most significant decisions during my reign.”
Getty Images
11/11 On her coronation day
After her coronation on 2 June 1953, the Queen addressed the nation in a broadcast that evening:
"The ceremonies you have seen today are ancient, and some of their origins are veiled in the mists of the past. But their spirit and their meaning shine through the ages never, perhaps, more brightly than now.
"I have in sincerity pledged myself to your service, as so many of you are pledged to mine. Throughout all my life and with all my heart I shall strive to be worthy of your trust."
AFP via Getty Images
1/11 Amid the coronavirus pandemic
In a special address to the UK and the Commonwealth amid the coronavirus pandemic on 5 April 2020, the Queen said:
“While we have faced challenges before, this one 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 success 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.”
PA
2/11 After two tragic events in the UK
In 2017, the year that saw the terror attack in Manchester and Grenfell fire, the Queen reflected on the idea of home in her Christmas Day speech, saying:
“We think of our homes as places of warmth, familiarity and love; of shared stories and memories, which is perhaps why at this time of year so many return to where they grew up. There is a timeless simplicity to the pull of home.
“For many, the idea of “home” reaches beyond a physical building – to a home town or city...
“We expect our homes to be a place of safety – ‘sanctuary’ even – which makes it all the more shocking when the comfort they provide is shattered.”
AFP via Getty Images
3/11 In a year with major disasters around the world
After a year where nations around the world were devastated by natural disasters – including flooding, tsunami, earthquake and hurricane – as well as the terror attack in London, the Queen said on her Christmas Day speech in 2005:
“This series of dreadful events has brought loss and suffering to so many people - and their families and friends - not only in the countries directly affected, but here in Britain and throughout the Commonwealth.
“As if these disasters were not bad enough, I have sometimes thought that humanity seemed to have turned on itself - with wars, civil disturbances and acts of brutal terrorism...
“This last year has reminded us that this world is not always an easy or a safe place to live in, but it is the only place we have.”
AFP via Getty Images
4/11 While visiting victims of the 2005 London terror attack
Following terrorist bombings in London on 8 July 2005, the Queen said during a visit to some of the victims at Royal London Hospital:
“Sadly we in Britain have been all too familiar with acts of terror and members of my generation, especially at this end of London, know that we have been here before. But those who perpetrate these brutal acts against innocent people should know that they will not change our way of life.
“Atrocities such as these simply reinforce our sense of community, our humanity, and our trust in the rule of law. That is the clear message from us all.”
AFP via Getty Images
5/11 In her Golden Jubilee year
The Queen celebrated her Golden Jubilee in 2002 with a tour of the nation as well as a summer of celebrations. On 2 June, with the Fifa World Cup in full swing, she told guests at a lunch at Guildhall:
“I am more than conscious at the moment of the importance of football. Although this weekend comes about half way through my Jubilee year, as far as we are concerned, it bears no relation to a rest at 'half-time'.
“However, I am very glad that the fiftieth anniversary of my accession is giving so many people all over this country and in the Commonwealth an excuse to celebrate and enjoy themselves.”
Getty Images
6/11 At the turn of the millennium
For her annual Christmas Day broadcast in 1999, the Queen reflected on the turn of the millennium, and the lessons we could learn, saying:
“As I look to the future I have no doubt at all that the one certainty is change - and the pace of that change will only seem to increase…
“There are many, for example, of my age or amongst the more vulnerable in society who worry that they will be left behind. The sheer rate of change seems to be sweeping away so much that is familiar and comforting.
“But I do not think that we should be over-anxious. We can make sense of the future - if we understand the lessons of the past.”
AFP via Getty Images
7/11 During her Golden Wedding Anniversary
As the Queen celebrated her Golden Wedding Anniversary on 20 November 1997, she said:
“What a remarkable fifty years they have been: for the world, for the Commonwealth and for Britain. Think what we would have missed if we had never heard the Beatles or seen Margot Fonteyn dance: never have watched television, used a mobile telephone or surfed the Net (or, to be honest, listened to other people talking about surfing the Net).
"We would never have heard someone speak from the Moon: never have watched England win the World Cup or Red Rum three Grand Nationals. We would never have heard that Everest had been scaled, DNA unravelled, the Channel tunnel built, hip replacements become commonplace. Above all, speaking personally, we would never have known the joys of having children and grandchildren."
AFP via Getty Images
8/11 Following the death of Diana, the Princess of Wales
Following the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, the Queen addressed the nation on 5 September 1997:
“We have all been trying in our different ways to cope. It is not easy to express a sense of loss, since the initial shock is often succeeded by a mixture of other feelings: disbelief, incomprehension, anger - and concern for those who remain. We have all felt those emotions in these last few days.”
AFP via Getty Images
9/11 The Royals' worst year
On 24 November 1992, the Queen marked her “annus horribilis” – during which the royal family was marked with scandals from divorce and affairs, to a devastating fire at Windsor Castle – in a speech at Guildhall to mark the 40th anniversary of her Accession. Her majesty reflected:
“I sometimes wonder how future generations will judge the events of this tumultuous year. I dare say that history will take a slightly more moderate view than that of some contemporary commentators. Distance is well-known to lend enchantment, even to the less attractive views. After all, it has the inestimable advantage of hindsight.
"But it can also lend an extra dimension to judgement, giving it a leavening of moderation and compassion - even of wisdom - that is sometimes lacking in the reactions of those whose task it is in life to offer instant opinions on all things great and small.”
AFP via Getty Images
10/11 Celebrating her Silver Jubilee
In a speech celebrating her Silver Jubilee on 4 May 1977, the Queen noted:
“These 25 years have seen much change for Britain. By virtue of tolerance and understanding, the Empire has evolved into a Commonwealth of 36 Independent Nations spanning the five Continents. No longer an Imperial Power, we have been coming to terms with what this means for ourselves and for our relations with the rest of the world.
“We have forged new links with other countries and in joining the European Economic Communities we have taken what is perhaps one of the most significant decisions during my reign.”
Getty Images
11/11 On her coronation day
After her coronation on 2 June 1953, the Queen addressed the nation in a broadcast that evening:
"The ceremonies you have seen today are ancient, and some of their origins are veiled in the mists of the past. But their spirit and their meaning shine through the ages never, perhaps, more brightly than now.
"I have in sincerity pledged myself to your service, as so many of you are pledged to mine. Throughout all my life and with all my heart I shall strive to be worthy of your trust."
AFP via Getty Images
It will also be shown across the royal family's official social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, so people can still watch it if they miss the live broadcast.
Are other members of the royal family taking part?
The BBC will also air a pre-recorded video message from Prince Charles, who will read an extract from his grandfather King George VI's diary from VE Day describing the day’s events, including the royal family’s Buckingham Palace balcony appearances.
What other events are happening to mark the anniversary?
The Queen’s message will form the centrepiece of a televised musical event VE Day 75: The People’s Celebration, which will begin at 8pm.
After the broadcast on BBC One, the public will be invited to take part in a country-wide singalong of Dame Vera Lynn's wartime anthem "We'll Meet Again".
Additional events throughout the day will include a two minute silence at 11 a.m. and a broadcast of then Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill’s victory speech in the afternoon.
On radio, Jeremy Vine will also discuss the pivotal moments that led to the end of the war and Radio 3’s Words And Music will share diary extracts from 1945 with interludes of poetry and music themed around gratitude.