The Queen has made many
speeches to the nation over her 70 years on the throne, but the first one
was especially significant – and she was just a teenager when she made it.
Back in 1940, when the
young Princess Elizabeth was 14 years old, she made a wartime address to
children of the Commonwealth, many of whom had been displaced by war.
Sweetly, she was even joined
by her younger sister, Princess Margaret, then aged ten.
Broadcast on 13 October 1940
on the BBC’s Children’s Hour programme, she began: “In
wishing you all ‘good evening’ I feel that I am speaking to friends and companions
who have shared with my sister and myself many happy Children’s Hour.”
She went on: “Thousands
of you in this country have had to leave your homes and be separated from your
fathers and mothers.
My sister Margaret Rose and I
feel so much for you as we know from experience what it means to be away from
those we love most of all.”
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The young princesses in 1935
To the children living in in
Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States, she said:
“I can truthfully say to you all that we children at home are full of
cheerfulness and courage.
“We are trying to do all
we can to help our gallant sailors, soldiers and airmen, and we are
trying, too, to bear our own share of the danger and sadness of war.
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The Queen celebrated her Platinum Jubilee last weekend
“We know, every one of
us, that in the end all will be well; for God will care for us and give us
victory and peace. And when peace comes, remember it will be for us, the
children of today, to make the world of tomorrow a better and happier
place.”
Both Princesses then said
goodnight to listeners, with the young Elizabeth saying: “My sister is by
my side and we are both going to say goodnight to you. Come on, Margaret…
Goodnight, and good luck to you all.”
