Queen Elizabeth II recorded an uplifting message reminding the United Kingdom that Easter is not canceled, even though people will not be attending church to celebrate it.
The 93-year-old monarch recorded her first-ever Easter message in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle on Friday, according to Sky News. The video was released on social media a day later.
The Queen speaks of light overcoming darkness, and the hope that Easter symbolises, in a special message recorded to mark the Easter weekend. pic.twitter.com/fTFCOSVBtT
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) April 11, 2020
“Many religions have festivals which celebrate light overcoming darkness. Such occasions are often accompanied by the lighting of candles,” the queen said.
“As darkness falls on the Saturday before Easter Day, many Christians would normally light candles together,” she added. “In church, one light would pass to another, spreading slowly and then more rapidly as more candles are lit. It’s a way of showing how the good news of Christ’s resurrection has been passed on from the first Easter by every generation until now.”
“This year, Easter will be different for many of us, but by keeping apart, we keep others safe. But Easter isn’t canceled; indeed, we need Easter as much as ever,” she said. “The discovery of the risen Christ on the first Easter Day gave his followers new hope and fresh purpose, and we can all take heart from this. We know that coronavirus will not overcome us. As dark as death can be, particularly for those suffering with grief, light and life are greater. May the living flame of the Easter hope be a steady guide as we face the future.”
Out of an abundance of caution, all of the audio equipment was set up and precleaned ahead of time, so the queen would not be forced to touch anything.
