The Queen’s evocative VE Day tribute: ‘Never give up. Never despair’

The Queen during last night's VE Day address.The Queen during last night's VE Day address.
The Queen during last night's VE Day address.
THE Queen last night marked the 75th anniversary of VE Day by saluting the “strength and courage” of the wartime generation.

In a deeply personal speech laced with poignancy, she went on to praise the nation’s “love” and “care” for each other after the coronavirus crisis overshadowed this historic milestone.

“Today it may seem hard that we cannot mark this special anniversary as we would wish. Instead we remember from our homes and our doorsteps,” concluded Her Majesty.

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“Our streets are not empty; they are filled with the love and the care that we have for each other.

File photo dated 01/01/45 showing Princess Elizabeth at the wheel of an army vehicle while serving in the Auxiliary Territorial Service during the Second World War.File photo dated 01/01/45 showing Princess Elizabeth at the wheel of an army vehicle while serving in the Auxiliary Territorial Service during the Second World War.
File photo dated 01/01/45 showing Princess Elizabeth at the wheel of an army vehicle while serving in the Auxiliary Territorial Service during the Second World War.

“And when I look at our country today, and see what we are willing to do to protect and support one another, I say with pride that we are still a nation those brave soldiers, sailors and airmen would recognise and admire.”

The Queen, 94, was speaking from the same drawing room at Windsor Castle where she delivered her ‘We’ll Meet Again’ speech last month in recognition of the Covid-19 pandemic’s human toll.

Her latest address ended with a nationwide chorus of We’ll Meet Again, Dame Vera Lynn’s evocative wartime anthem, from the doorsteps of homes across Britain.

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The singalong was the culmination of a day of commemorative events that began with a nationwide two minutes’ silence at 11am.

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall led the nation's two minutes silence on VE Day from Balmoral.The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall led the nation's two minutes silence on VE Day from Balmoral.
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall led the nation's two minutes silence on VE Day from Balmoral.

The Queen’s speech began at 9pm – the precise moment 75 years ago when her father, King George VI, addressed Britain, and the Empire, following Germany’s unconditional surrender.

Carefully choreographed, there was an audio of the chimes of Big Ben – and a broadcaster announcer saying ‘This is London. His Majesty King George VI’ – before a short clip of the King’s speech was replayed.

“Let us remember the men of all the services and the women in all of the services who have laid down their lives,” he said.

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The footage then cut to the Queen who had placed her Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) khaki-coloured peaked cap – part of her uniform when she undertook National Service – on her desk with other personal mementos including a photo of the King.

The Prince of Wales lay a wreath after the two minutes silence for VE Day. Charles' handwritten message with his floral tribute read "In everlasting remembrance".The Prince of Wales lay a wreath after the two minutes silence for VE Day. Charles' handwritten message with his floral tribute read "In everlasting remembrance".
The Prince of Wales lay a wreath after the two minutes silence for VE Day. Charles' handwritten message with his floral tribute read "In everlasting remembrance".

“I speak to you today at the same hour as my father did, exactly 75 years ago,” said the Queen before explaining how “the outlook seemed bleak, the end distant, the outcome uncertain” during what she described as “a total war”.

“But we kept faith that the cause was right – and this belief, as my father noted in his broadcast, carried us through. Never give up, never despair – that was the message of VE Day.”

The Queen recalled the joyous scenes at Buckingham Palace when she, and her late sister Princess Margaret, joined their parents and Winston Churchill on the balcony.

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This was the evocative moment when the Royal Family deferred to Britain’s indefatigable wartime leader and allowed him to take centre-stage as he conducted revellers on The Mall singing Land of Hope and Glory.

The Queen's speech last night came 75 years to the minute after her father King George VI marked the end of the Second World War.The Queen's speech last night came 75 years to the minute after her father King George VI marked the end of the Second World War.
The Queen's speech last night came 75 years to the minute after her father King George VI marked the end of the Second World War.

But the Queen also acknowledged that the war in the Far East had still to be concluded – it was, ultimately, another three months before VJ Day.

“The sense of joy in the crowds who gathered outside and across the country was profound, though while we celebrated the victory in Europe, we knew there would be further sacrifice,” she went on.

“It was not until August that fighting in the Far East ceased and the war finally ended. Many people laid down their lives in that terrible conflict.

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“They fought so we could live in peace, at home and abroad. They died so we could live as free people in a world of free nations. They risked all so our families and neighbourhoods could be safe. We should and will remember them.”

The Queen then reflected on how the post-war period continues to be defined by a spirit of reconciliation that honours the war dead to this day.

“As I now reflect on my father’s words and the joyous celebrations, which some of us experienced first-hand, I am thankful for the strength and courage that the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and all our allies displayed,” she went on.

“The wartime generation knew that the best way to honour those who did not come back from the war, was to ensure that it didn’t happen again.

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“The greatest tribute to their sacrifice is that countries who were once sworn enemies are now friends, working side by side for the peace, health and prosperity of us all.”

The Queen’s big night out

THE Queen has described her VE Day celebrations 75 years ago as “one of the most memorable nights of my life”.

In archive audio interview released by the Royal Family, the Queen can be heard recounting how, as a 19-year-old, she joined thousands of other revellers after slipping into the crowds outside Buckingham Palace unnoticed with her 14-year-old sister Princess Margaret.

“We cheered the king and queen on the balcony and then walked miles through the streets,” the Queen recounted.

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“I remember lines of unknown people linking arms and walking down Whitehall, all of us just swept along on a tide of happiness and relief.”

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