It was not a Sunday like any other for British citizens. On the same day as Prime Minister Boris Johnson – the only European head of government affected by coronavirus – is hospitalized due to the worsening of his condition, Queen Elizabeth II, 94 years old in 15 days, gives a historic address to the nation to encourage it to overcome the crisis.
Let's start with Johnson. In the evening the Prime Minister is transported from Downing Street to a London hospital "as a precaution" to be subjected to some "medical tests", say the spokesmen. But the clinical picture appears serious: since he was diagnosed with the coronavirus 10 days ago, Johnson showed no signs of improvement. High fever and cough don't go away. For this reason, his personal doctor decides that voluntary self-isolation is no longer sufficient: hospitalization is needed.
Meanwhile, Elisabetta II record a video message in the White Drawing Room of Windsor Palace. It is the fourth time in 68 years on the throne that the Queen has addressed the nation on extraordinary occasions: before Sunday it had only happened on the occasion of the war in Iraq in 1991, the funeral of Lady Diana in 1997 and the death of the over 2002-year-old Queen Mother in XNUMX .
"Shocking times await us – says the sovereign – which have already caused pain, economic hardship and enormous changes in our daily lives. But we'll win again this time and we'll be proud of it, but only if we stick together." Elisabetta thanks doctors and nurses, but also "those who stay at home to stop the spread of the virus".
And again: “When in the future we look back we will be proud of ourselves and our qualities of self-discipline, calmness and solidarity. The sense of unity you have shown is our national spirit. The pride we have is not the past, but our present and future”.
Finally, a sign of hope: “Better days will come. We will see our friends again. We will be back with our families. We will meet. Again".
