Queen marks 80 years since first-ever public address

The then-Princess Elizabeth delivered her first broadcast on Children's Hour during the Second World War

(Rex Features)

Tuesday 13 October 2020 marks the 80th anniversary of the Queen’s first-ever public address.

The monarch made her debut as a young princess when she delivered a speech via radio on Children’s Hour during the Second World War.

The speech was aimed at children of the Commonwealth, many of whom would have been living away from home due to the war.

The then-Princess Elizabeth was just 14 years old at the time.

She gave the speech from Windsor Castle with her sister, Princess Margaret.

The two Princesses told evacuated youngsters to have courage, and explained that they too knew what it was like to be separated from loved ones.

“All of us children who are still at home think continually of our friends and relations who have gone overseas - who have travelled thousands of miles to find a wartime home and a kindly welcome in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States of America,” the Queen said at the time.

“My sister and I feel we know quite a lot about these countries. Our father and mother have so often talked to us of their visits to different parts of the world. So it is not difficult for us to picture the sort of life you are all leading, and to think of all the new sights you must be seeing, and the adventures you must be having.”

The young Princess urged listeners to “have 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,” she said.

“We know, everyone 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.”

It’s the same speech that the Queen recalled in April during a televised address she made to the nation with regards to the coronavirus pandemic.

“It reminds me of the very first broadcast I made, in 1940, helped by my sister,” she said.

"We, as children, spoke from here at Windsor to children who had been evacuated from their homes and sent away for their own safety. 

"Today, once again, many will feel a painful sense of separation from their loved ones. But now, as then, we know, deep down, that it is the right thing to do."

The Queen, 94, returned to Windsor last week, where she spent lockdown after spending time at Balmoral and Sandringham.