King George VI - Silver Wedding Broadcast (26 April 1948)
ABOVE: The King and Queen appear on the balcony at Buckingham Palace and wave to the crowds gathered below during celebrations for their silver wedding anniversary.
This has been a memorable, and a very happy day for the Queen and me. Apart from its deep significance to ourselves, as man and wife, it has been made the occasion of a world-wide expression of kindly good will towards us which has greatly moved us. It has been an unforgettable experience to realize how many thousands of people there are in this world who wish to join in the thankfulness we feel for the twenty-five years of supremely happy married life which have been granted to us.
Looking back over those years, nobody can deny that they have been, for all of us who have lived through them, full of difficulty, of anxiety, and often of sorrow. On me, in my endeavour to fulfil my appointed task, they have laid a heavy burden. I make no secret of the fact that there have been times when it would have been almost too heavy but for the strength and comfort which I have always found in my home.
And so, I can find no better way of showing my gratitude to all of you whose good wishes have gladdened us today than by wishing you in turn a full share of the happiness with which I have myself been blessed. If you are already happily married, may you long enjoy your life together; and if marriage still lies before you, may it fulfil all your brightest hopes.
