The Imperial Address to the Empire (also known as the "New Evil Speech" or "Britannia's Speech" ) of April 5, 1989 was delivered at 12:30 p.m. that day to Parliament and broadcast to the rest of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II, seven days after the Empire of Japan's attack on Vladivostok Naval Base, Russian Empire and the Imperial German Union bombing of major capital cities of the Triple Entente. The speech the Queen gave reflected on the similar feelings she felt at the start of the Great War, and asked for resolve in fighting off this "new evil" that had confronted the world.
Speech[]
When I spoke to you less than four months ago we were all enjoying the warmth and fellowship of a family Christmas. Our thoughts were concentrated on the strong links that bind each generation to the ones that came before and those that will follow. The horrors of war could not have seemed more remote as my family and I shared our Christmas joy with the growing family of the Empire.
Now this madness of war is once more spreading through the world and our brave country must again prepare itself to survive against great odds.
I have never forgotten the sorrow and the pride I felt as I huddled around the nursery wireless set listening to my uncle's inspiring words on that fateful day in 1954. Not for a single moment did I imagine that this solemn and awful duty would one day fall to me.
We all know that the dangers facing us today are greater by far than at any time in our long history. The enemy is not the soldier with his rifle nor even the airman prowling the skies above our cities and towns but the deadly power of abused technology.
But whatever terrors lie in wait for us all the qualities that have helped to keep our freedom intact twice already during this sad century will once more be our strength.
My husband and I share with families up and down the land the fear we feel for sons and daughters, husbands and brothers who have left our side to serve their country. My beloved son Andrew is at this moment in action with his unit and we pray continually for his safety and for the safety of all servicemen and women at home and overseas.
It is this close bond of family life that must be our greatest defence against the unknown. If families remain united and resolute, giving shelter to those living alone and unprotected, our country's will to survive cannot be broken.
My message to you therefore is simple. Help those who cannot help themselves, give comfort to the lonely and the homeless and let your family become the focus of hope and life to those who need it.
As we strive together to fight off the new evil let us pray for our country and men of goodwill wherever they may be.
God bless you all.