Queen Elizabeth To Britain In Tribute To World Warfare II Era: “By no means Give Up”:

Queen Elizabeth remembered the millions of people who died "so that we can live as free people".

London:

Queen Elizabeth II summoned the spirit of war "never to despair" on Friday when Britain celebrated 75 years after the end of World War II in Europe in the shadow of the corona virus.

The 94-year-old gave the nation a television address that was supposed to reflect that of her father, King George VI, who gave his own speech on the evening of May 8, 1945 on the radio.

"In the beginning the prospects seemed bleak, the end distant, the outcome uncertain," said the Queen of the war, in which she served as a driver in the army.

"But we believed that it was the right thing to do, and that belief, as my father stated on his show, prevailed over us.

"Never give up, never despair – that was VE Day's message."

She remembered the millions of people who died "so that we can live as free people in a world of free nations," and said, "We should and will remember them."

The monarch added, "The greatest tribute to their sacrifice is that countries that were once sworn enemies are now friends and work side by side for the peace, health and prosperity of all of us."

Her message was filmed at Windsor Castle, where she and her husband Prince Philip have lived since the onset of the coronavirus.

Plans for street parties and military parades for VE Day were canceled after the UK government ordered a nationwide ban in late March to slow the spread of COVID-19.

But it encouraged people to have tea parties at home in the 1940s and to attend a mass sing-a-long of the war classic "We'll Meet Again" after the Queen's speech on her doorstep.

"Our streets are not empty; they are filled with the love and care we have for one another," said the monarch.

"And when I look at our country today and see what we want to do to protect and support each other, I am proud to see that we are still a nation that recognize and admire these brave soldiers, sailors and airmen would.

"I send you all my warmest wishes."

– & # 39; flood of happiness & # 39; –

(In 1945, the Queen then left her 19-year-old Princess in the Buckingham Palace with her younger sister Margaret and a group of friends taking part in the London street celebrations

In a BBC interview from 1985, which was released again for this year's anniversary, she described it as "one of the most memorable nights of my life".

"I remember rows of unknown people bandaging their arms and going down Whitehall. We all just swept a flood of happiness and relief," she recalled.

The young princess wore her uniform – she was a member of the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) – but "I remember we were afraid to be recognized".

(Except for the headline, this story was not edited by NDTV staff and published from a syndicated feed.)