Queen coronavirus speech: What time is the rare address and how can I watch?

Queen Elizabeth II is set to address the nation about the coronavirus crisis

Sabrina Barr
Sunday 05 April 2020 10:45 BST
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Queen Elizabeth's full address to the UK about the coronavirus pandemic

On Friday 3 April, it was announced that the Queen is to make a rare address to the nation.

The purpose of the address is to deliver a message about the coronavirus pandemic, Buckingham Palace stated.

Here is everything you need to know about the speech:

When is it taking place?

The address will occur on Sunday 5 April, taking place at 8pm in the evening.

It will be broadcast to members of the public in the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth.

The Queen has already recorded the message at Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace said in a statement.

The monarch is currently residing at Windsor Castle with her husband, Prince Philip.

The royal couple have been staying at the residence together since Thursday 19 March.

Their eldest son, the Prince of Wales, recently tested positive for Covid-19, shortly after it was announced prime minister Boris Johnson was diagnosed with the virus.

Prince Charles has since come out of self-isolation following his recovery.

How can I watch?

The message will be shown on television, in addition to being aired on the radio.

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.

Why is the address a rare occurrence?

Throughout Queen Elizabeth II‘s 68-year reign, she has only delivered televised broadcasts to the nation during periods of crisis on three previous occasions.

These occasions were: following the Queen Mother's death in 2002; prior to the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997 and to speak about the First Gulf War in 1991.

The 93-year-old also delivered a televised address in 2012 to mark the celebratory occasion of her Diamond Jubilee, in addition to sharing messages every year at Christmas.

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