Queen’s ‘WW3 Speech’ Revealed: The One that Never Was – and Never, Ever Will Be
Stephen: As laughable as this may seem to some of us – it does have sinister origins. The fact that such a speech would even be pre-scripted’ for Her Maj indicates just how ready those who wanted such a event were prepared to go. Thankfully, we have come a long way since then and the fact this has been revealed now illustrate the absurdity of it while also planting the seed for the wider world go ‘hang on a minute? why would they have a speech like THAT ready?”… The “madness of war” indeed.
Queen’s ‘World War III’ Speech Revealed In Newly Released UK Archive Papers
By Li-mei Hoang, Reuters, August 1, 2013
http://tinyurl.com/lwa35gh
LONDON (Reuters) – Relations between the Soviet Union and the West had become so tense 30 years ago that British officials drew up a speech for Queen Elizabeth to deliver to the nation in the event of a nuclear war, newly released archives showed on Thursday.
In the speech, the monarch was to urge Britons to remain united and resolute in the face of the “madness of war.”
Written by government officials, the hypothetical speech was part of a secret exercise designed to prepare Britain for the threat of a possible World War Three, but was never broadcast.
It starts by referring to the queen’s traditional Christmas address to the nation.
“The horrors of war could not have seemed more remote as my family and I shared our Christmas joy with the growing family of the Commonwealth,” she was to have said.
“Now, this madness of war is once more spreading through the world and our brave country must again prepare itself to survive against great odds.”
The queen’s speech was imagined to be broadcast in the spring of 1983 against the backdrop of worsening U.S.-Soviet relations, during a year in which then U.S. President Ronald Reagan described the Soviet Union as an “evil empire”.
The queen was to have continued: “I have never forgotten the sorrow and the pride I felt as my sister and I huddled around the nursery wireless set listening to my father’s (King George VI’s) inspiring words on that fateful day in 1939 (at the start of the World War Two).
“Not for a single moment did I imagine that this solemn and awful duty would one day fall to me.”
Citing the close bond of family life as the greatest defense against the unknown, the speech also mentioned the queen’s second son Prince Andrew, who was serving in the Royal Navy at the time.
“If families remain united and resolute, giving shelter to those living alone and unprotected, our country’s will to survive cannot be broken,” she was to have said.
The papers were released by the National Archives as part of a 30-year rule that sees official records from the Prime Minister’s office and Cabinet Office released to the public.
They also revealed how Margaret Thatcher, who was Britain’s prime minister at the time, dismissed the idea of hiring the then 21-year old William Hague – now Foreign Secretary – as an advisor to the Treasury.
“No,” she wrote, underlining the word three times before adding “This is a gimmick and would be deeply resented by many who have financial economic experience.”
Full text of the Queen’s speech:
“When I spoke to you less than three months ago we were all enjoying the warmth and fellowship of a family Christmas.
“Our thoughts were concentrated on the strong links that bind each generation to the ones that came before and those that will follow.
“The horrors of war could not have seemed more remote as my family and I shared our Christmas joy with the growing family of the Commonwealth.
“Now this madness of war is once more spreading through the world and our brave country must again prepare itself to survive against great odds.
“I have never forgotten the sorrow and the pride I felt as my sister and I huddled around the nursery wireless set listening to my father’s inspiring words on that fateful day in 1939.
“Not for a single moment did I imagine that this solemn and awful duty would one day fall to me.
“We all know that the dangers facing us today are greater by far than at any time in our long history.
“The enemy is not the soldier with his rifle nor even the airman prowling the skies above our cities and towns but the deadly power of abused technology.
“But whatever terrors lie in wait for us all the qualities that have helped to keep our freedom intact twice already during this sad century will once more be our strength.
“My husband and I share with families up and down the land the fear we feel for sons and daughters, husbands and brothers who have left our side to serve their country.
“My beloved son Andrew is at this moment in action with his unit and we pray continually for his safety and for the safety of all servicemen and women at home and overseas.
“It is this close bond of family life that must be our greatest defence against the unknown.
“If families remain united and resolute, giving shelter to those living alone and unprotected, our country’s will to survive cannot be broken.
“My message to you therefore is simple. Help those who cannot help themselves, give comfort to the lonely and the homeless and let your family become the focus of hope and life to those who need it.
“As we strive together to fight off the new evil let us pray for our country and men of goodwill wherever they may be.
