1992: Queen Elizabeth II's Famous "Annus Horribilis" Speech

thank you [Applause] my Lord man could I say first how delighted I am of the lady Marius is here today foreign this Great Hall has provided me some of the most memorable events in my life the hospitality of the city of London is famous around the world but nowhere is it more appreciated than among the members of my family I am deeply grateful that you my lord mayor and the corporation have seen fit to Mark the 40th anniversary of my accession with this Splendid lunch and by giving me a picture which I will greatly cherish thank you also for inviting representatives of so many organizations with which I and my family have special connections in some cases stretching back over several Generations to use an expression more common north of the Border this Israel Gathering of the Clans 1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure in the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondence it has turned out to be an anus horribilius I suspect that I'm not alone in thinking it's so indeed I suspect that there are very few people or institutions unaffected by these last months worldwide turmoil and uncertainty this generosity and wholehearted kindness of the corporation of the city to Prince Philippe and me would be welcome at any time but at this particular moment in the aftermath of Friday's tragic fire at Windsor it is especially so and after this last weekend we appreciate all the more what has been set before us today years of experience however have made us a bit more canny from the lady less well-versed than us in the splendors of City hospitality who when she was offered a balloon glass for her Brandy asked for only half a glass please it is possible to have too much of a good thing a well-meaning bishop was obviously doing his best when he told Queen Victoria ma'am we cannot pray too often nor too fervently for the Royal Family the Queen's reply was too fervently no too often yes I like Queen Victoria I've always been a believer in that old Maxim moderation in all things I sometimes wonder how future Generations will judge the events of this tumultuous ear I dare say that history will take a slightly more moderate view than that of some contemporary commentators distance is well known to lend enchantment even to the less attractive views after all it has the inestimable advantage of hindsight but it can also lend an extra Dimension to judgment giving it a leavening of moderation and compassion even of wisdom that is sometimes lacking in the reactions of those whose task it is in life to offer instant opinions on All Things Great and Small new section of the community has all the virtues neither does any have all the vases I am quite sure that most people try to do their best to do their jobs as best they can even if the result is not always entirely successful he who has never failed to reach Perfection has a right to be the harshest critic there can be no doubt of course that criticism is good for people and institutions that are part of public life new Institution City monarchy whatever should expect to be free from the scrutiny of those who give it their loyalty and support not to mention those who don't but we are all part of the same fabric of Our National Society and that scrutiny by one part of another can be just as effective if it is made with a touch of gentleness good humor and understanding this sort of questioning can also Act and it should do so as an effective engine for change the city is a good example of the way the process of change can be incorporated into the stability and continuity of a great Institution I particularly admire my Lord mayor the way in which the city has adapted so nimbly to what the prayer book calls the changes and chances of this Mortal life you have set an example of how it is possible to remain effective and dynamic without losing those indefinable qualities style and character we only have to look around this Great Hall to see the truth of that 40 years is quite a long time I am glad to have had the chance to witness and to take part in many dramatic changes in life in this country but I'm glad to say that the Magnificent standard of hospitality given on so many occasions to The Sovereign by the Lord mayor of London has not changed at all it is an outward symbol of one other unchanging factor which I value above all the Loyalty given to me and to my family by so many people in this country and the Commonwealth throughout my reign you my lord mayor and all those whose prayers fervent I hope but not too frequent have sustained me through all these years our friends indeed Prince Philip and I give you all wherever you may be our most humble thanks and now I ask you to rise and drink the health of the Lord mayor and Corporation of London [Applause] foreign foreign sure

Channel: ITN Archive

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Id: ehASvMvrf5U

Length: 11min 31sec (691 seconds)

Published: Tue Nov 08 2022