Historic speeches and Christmas broadcasts
Read some of the key speeches from throughout The Queen’s life in this section.
The Queen’s Christmas Broadcasts to the Commonwealth, 1952-present
Following in the footsteps of her father and grandfather, The Queen has made a broadcast to the Commonwealth on 25 December every year except 1969, at first on radio and later on television. Read the text of these messages here.
13 October 1940
Princess Elizabeth broadcasts to the children of the Commonwealth during the Second World War
The Princess makes a speech on radio during Children’s Hour …
21 April 1947
Princess Elizabeth makes a radio broadcast from Cape Town, South Africa, on her 21st birthday
Princess Elizabeth dedicates her whole life to the service of the Commonwealth …
2 June 1953
The Queen makes her Coronation Oath in Westminster Abbey
Wording from the most solemn part of the Coronation ceremony, conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury …
2 June 1953
The Queen broadcasts to the nation and the Commonwealth on the evening following her Coronation in Westminster Abbey
The Queen thanks the public for their loyalty and affection …
4 May 1977
The Queen gives a Silver Jubilee address to the Houses of Parliament
The Queen looks back on the past 25 years of her reign, and forward to the future …
9 May 1988
The Queen marks the bicentenary of Australia at the opening of the new Parliament House in Canberra
The Queen reflects on Australian democratic traditions …
24 November 1992
The Queen makes an address in London’s Guildhall to mark the 40th anniversary of her reign
The Queen reflects on the events of the past year …
5 September 1997
Television broadcast following the death of Diana, Princess of Wales
The Queen pays tribute to ‘an exception and gifted human being’ …
20 November 1997
The Queen makes a speech in Banqueting House on the Golden Wedding of herself and The Duke of Edinburgh
The Queen thanks Prince Philip for his support over 50 years of marriage …
20 March 2000
The Queen makes a speech at the Sydney Opera House following the Australian referendum of November 1999
The Queen expresses her ‘lasting respect and deep affection for Australia and Australians’ …
4 June 2002
Golden Jubilee speech in London’s Guildhall
The Queen reflects on a ‘remarkable fifty years’ …