The Queen shares a hopeful New Year’s message alongside photos from 2020

‘We will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again,’ monarch says

Queen shares uplifting New Year’s message (Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeth II has wished her social media followers a happy New Year while sharing a hopeful message for the future.

On Thursday, the official royal family Instagram account marked the end of 2020 with a composite of four photos from the past year.

In the first photo, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh can be seen celebrating their 73rd wedding anniversary in November by reading a card from their great grandchildren, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

The second photo shows the Round Tower at Windsor Castle, where the monarch and Prince Philip have been staying amid the pandemic, lit up blue in tribute to healthcare workers.

“The iconic Round Tower at Windsor Castle was turned blue twice this year to thank NHS staff for their vital work during the pandemic,” the caption reads.

The Instagram post also includes a photo from Piccadilly Circus in April showing the Queen’s picture displayed alongside a quote from her address to the nation, while the last photo shows the 94-year-old knighting Captain Sir Tom Moore at Windsor Castle in July for his fundraising efforts.

“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,” the royal captioned the photos.

The sentiment is similar to one expressed by the monarch in April when she addressed the nation in a rare televised address from Windsor Castle.

“I am speaking to you at what I know is an increasingly challenging time,” the Queen said at the time. “A time of disruption in the life of our country: a disruption that has brought grief to some, financial difficulties to many, and enormous changes to the daily lives of us all.”

After expressing her gratitude towards everyone on the NHS frontline and essential workers, the Queen assured the country that they could overcome the virus if they remained united and dedicated.

“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,” she concluded. “But for now, I send my thanks and warmest good wishes to you all.”

In response to the Queen’s latest message, which comes as the UK battles a new variant of coronavirus, many royal fans shared their own well-wishes for the New Year.

“Inspirational leadership. Happy 2021 to you all,” one person commented.

Another said: “Comforting words. 2021 will be the year of renewed action to fight this.”