UK's Queen Elizabeth addresses message to nation over virus crisis
LONDON (Reuters) - Queen Elizabeth said on Thursday that the royal family would play its part as Britain rises to the challenge of overcoming the coronavirus pandemic.
"Many of us will need to find new ways of staying in touch with each other and making sure that loved ones are safe. I am certain we are up to that challenge," the 93-year-old monarch said in a message to the nation.
"You can be assured that my family and I stand ready to play our part."
On Tuesday, the queen announced she had cancelled her annual garden parties and several other events, and would head to Windsor Castle, west of London, on Thursday with her 98-year-old husband Prince Philip for Easter - a week earlier than usual.
Buckingham Palace said the changes were "a sensible precaution".
The queen's message went on: "As Philip and I arrive at Windsor today, we know that many individuals and families across the United Kingdom, and around the world, are entering a period of great concern and uncertainty.
"We are all being advised to change our normal routines and regular patterns of life for the greater good of the communities we live in and, in particular, to protect the most vulnerable within them.
"At times such as these, I am reminded that our nation’s history has been forged by people and communities coming together to work as one, concentrating our combined efforts with a focus on the common goal."
She added: "We are enormously thankful for the expertise and commitment of our scientists, medical practitioners and emergency and public services; but now more than any time in our recent past, we all have a vitally important part to play as individuals - today and in the coming days, weeks and months."
(Reporting by Andy Bruce and Stephen Addison, editing by Estelle Shirbon)
