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Queen Elizabeth II, in her own words: Her most memorable remarks

LONDON — Speeches from Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, who died on Thursday, punctuated key moments of her 70 years on the throne — giving insights into her family, faith and sense of duty.

Her remarks provide snapshots of what was going on in her personal life and British public life. Here are some of the most memorable.

On her 21st birthday: April 21, 1947

Princess Elizabeth was on a tour of South Africa with her parents and younger sister Margaret when she turned 21 years old. In a speech broadcast on the radio from Cape Town, she dedicated her life to the service of the Commonwealth, in one of her earliest public addresses.

“This is a happy day for me; but it is also one that brings serious thoughts, thoughts of life looming ahead with all its challenges and with all its opportunity,” the young Elizabeth said.

Still a princess, she went on to make a profound royal pledge: “I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.”

On her Coronation Day: June 2, 1953

The queen ascended to the throne on Feb. 6, 1952, after the death of her father, King George VI, but her coronation took place in 1953, when she was 27. Her husband, Philip, had urged that the event be televised for the first time, and millions in the United Kingdom and abroad watched the broadcast by the BBC from London’s Westminster Abbey.

Following the event that placed the royal family firmly in people’s living rooms, Elizabeth, in a broadcast to the nation that evening, reflected on the day’s momentous events.

“Although my experience is so short and my task so new, I have in my parents and grandparents an example which I can follow with certainty and with confidence,” she said. “As this day draws to its close, I know that my abiding memory of it will be, not only the solemnity and beauty of the ceremony, but the inspiration of your loyalty and affection. I thank you all from a full heart.”

‘Annus Horribilis’: Nov. 24, 1992

In 1992, the queen gave a speech in London to mark the 40th anniversary of her accession to the throne, wherein she famously defined the year in Latin as an “annus horribilis” — or a horrible year.

She remarked: “1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an ‘Annus Horribilis.’ I suspect that I am not alone in thinking it so.”

Her speech came days after a major fire at Windsor Castle, a royal residence, and after three of her children’s marriages, including that of Prince Charles and Diana, collapsed, generating reams of tabloid headlines that cast a critical spotlight on British royal life.

Maintaining a quintessential British stiff upper lip, the monarch welcomed scrutiny of her role. “Criticism is good for people and institutions that are part of public life,” she said. “No 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.”

She added, “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.”

She did not repeat the Latin phrase again publicly, but some royal pundits speculated that she may have been tempted to do so in 2019, after her husband was involved in a public car crash, her grandsons Princes William and Harry publicly fell out, and her second son Prince Andrew became entangled in links to the disgraced American financier Jeffrey Epstein.

On the death of Princess Diana: Sept. 5, 1997

After the death of Princess Diana in a car crash in Paris shook the world, the queen spoke to the nation live from Buckingham Palace.

“Since last Sunday’s dreadful news we have seen, throughout Britain and around the world, an overwhelming expression of sadness at Diana’s death. We have all been trying in our different ways to cope,” she said.

“I want to pay tribute to Diana myself. She was an exceptional and gifted human being. In good times and bad, she never lost her capacity to smile and laugh, nor to inspire others with her warmth and kindness. I admired and respected her — for her energy and commitment to others, and especially for her devotion to her two boys,” the queen said in an effort to comfort a stunned nation after facing media criticism for being slow to publicly react.

“No one who knew Diana will ever forget her. Millions of others who never met her, but felt they knew her, will remember her. I for one believe there are lessons to be drawn from her life and from the extraordinary and moving reaction to her death,” she said.

Diana died at 36 and left behind two young princes, who have both since spoken about how her death affected the way they shape their royal roles and public life.

On the death of Prince Philip: April 9, 2021

Buckingham Palace announced the death of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, on April 9, 2021.

“It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband,” the palace statement said . Philip died at Windsor Castle, and his funeral days later and during the coronavirus pandemic was televised globally. The event yielded moving images of the elderly queen, now a widow, starkly sitting alone in keeping with pandemic restrictions.

Elizabeth, whom Philip affectionately called Lilibet, had spoken of him in 1997 when the couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, calling him her “strength and stay.”

At the time, she recounted events over the 50 years of their marriage, including the end of the Cold War, the Beatles, humans traveling to the moon, the introduction of television, mobile phones and the internet, and England’s winning the soccer World Cup, as well as “the joys of having children and grandchildren” together.

“All too often, I fear, Prince Philip has had to listen to me speaking. Frequently we have discussed my intended speech beforehand and, as you will imagine, his views have been expressed in a forthright manner. He is someone who doesn’t take easily to compliments, but he has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know.”

After her husband’s death, she did not directly address the nation, but a phrase resurfaced that the queen had previously sent in a message to the United States following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks: “Grief is the price we pay for love,” she said.

Annual Christmas speeches

The queen gave thousands of speeches at royal engagements to heads of state and diplomats, when inaugurating buildings and boats, and annually at Christmas. The latter grew to become a social staple and British holiday tradition, as her yuletide speeches were peppered with words of wisdom, faith and occasionally personal reflections from the nonagenarian.

“In the old days, the monarch led his soldiers on the battlefield, and his leadership at all times was close and personal. Today things are very different,” she said in her first televised Christmas broadcast in 1957. “I cannot lead you into battle, I do not give you laws or administer justice, but I can do something else. I can give you my heart and my devotion to these old islands and to all the peoples of our brotherhood of nations.”

In 1974, her Christmas message alluded to violence in Northern Ireland and in the Middle East, and she encouraged people globally to seek the path of peace and reconciliation. “We may hold different points of view, but it is in times of stress and difficulty that we most need to remember that we have much more in common than there is dividing us,” she said .

In 2002, despite celebrating 50 years on the throne during her Golden Jubilee, she also mourned the death of her mother and sister within a few weeks of each other. In her Christmas message that year, she reflected on the need for humanity amid crisis.

“Our modern world places such heavy demands on our time and attention that the need to remember our responsibilities to others is greater than ever,” she said .

And finally, perhaps for many, a quip that the queen made to her aides, as reported by her royal biographer, may be her most charming comment. “I have to be seen to be believed,” she joked.

Celebration of her Platinum Jubilee: Feb. 6, 2022

In February, the queen reached a historic milestone: becoming the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of her reign. The United Kingdom celebrated during a four-day holiday in June with pomp and ceremony, street parties, musical concerts and military parades.

It was the last time the queen would publicly stand on the balcony at Buckingham Palace, alongside her family, waving to millions of people who had flocked to see her.

“I continue to be inspired by the goodwill shown to me,” she said, “and hope that the coming days will provide an opportunity to reflect on all that has been achieved during the last 70 years, as we look to the future with confidence and enthusiasm.”

Elizabeth previously celebrated her Silver Jubilee in 1977, Golden Jubilee in 2002 and Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

She died at her home in Balmoral Castle, Scotland, at 96.

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‘We shall be worthy of our duty’: the Queen’s most memorable speeches

From wartime broadcasts to Christmas Day messages, here are excerpts from some of her best-known addresses

Princess Elizabeth’s wartime broadcast on BBC Children’s Hour, 13 October 1940

Thousands of you in this country have had to leave your homes and be separated from your fathers and mothers. My sister, Margaret Rose, and I feel so much for you as we know from experience what it means to be away from those we love most of all.

All of us children who are still at home think continually of our friends and relations who have gone overseas – who have travelled thousands of miles to find a wartime home and a kindly welcome in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States of America.

My sister and I feel we know quite a lot about these countries. Our father and mother have so often talked to us of their visits to different parts of the world. So it is not difficult for us to picture the sort of life you are all leading, and to think of all the new sights you must be seeing, and the adventures you must be having.

We know, every one of us, that in the end all will be well; for God will care for us and give us victory and peace.

My sister is by my side and we are both going to say goodnight to you. Come on, Margaret. Goodnight, children.

The Queen’s first live radio Christmas broadcast, from Sandringham, December 1952

Each Christmas, at this time, my beloved father broadcast a message to his people in all parts of the world. Today I am doing this to you, who are now my people.

At Christmas our thoughts are always full of our homes and our families.

Many grave problems and difficulties confront us all, but with a new faith in the old and splendid beliefs given us by our forefathers, and the strength to venture beyond the safeties of the past, I know we shall be worthy of our duty.

Above all, we must keep alive that courageous spirit of adventure that is the finest quality of youth; and by youth I do not just mean those who are young in years; I mean too all those who are young in heart, no matter how old they may be. That spirit still flourishes in this old country and in all the younger countries of our Commonwealth.

At my coronation next June, I shall dedicate myself anew to your service. I shall do so in the presence of a great congregation, drawn from every part of the Commonwealth and empire, while millions outside Westminster Abbey will hear the promises and the prayers being offered up within its walls, and see much of the ancient ceremony in which kings and queens before me have taken part through century upon century.

Queen’s coronation day speech, 2 June 1953

The ceremonies you have seen today are ancient, and some of their origins are veiled in the mists of the past. But their spirit and their meaning shine through the ages never, perhaps, more brightly than now. I have in sincerity pledged myself to your service, as so many of you are pledged to mine. Throughout all my life and with all my heart I shall strive to be worthy of your trust.

I have behind me not only the splendid traditions and the annals of more than a thousand years but the living strength and majesty of the Commonwealth and empire; of societies old and new; of lands and races different in history and origins but all, by God’s will, united in spirit and in aim.

Therefore, I am sure that this, my coronation, is not the symbol of a power and a splendour that are gone but a declaration of our hopes for the future, and for the years I may, by God’s grace and mercy, be given to reign and serve you as your Queen.

Christmas broadcast on the topic of children’s privacy, 1958

We would like our son and daughter to grow up as normally as possible so that they will be able to serve you and the Commonwealth faithfully and well when they are old enough to do so. We believe the public life is not a fair burden to place on growing children.

Christmas broadcast, 1972

In 1972, the Queen and Prince Philip celebrated 25 years of marriage. That year there was also terrible violence in Northern Ireland, and preparations for Britain to join the European Economic Community. The Queen refers to both these news stories in her speech.

One of the great Christian ideals is a happy and lasting marriage between man and wife, but no marriage can hope to succeed without a deliberate effort to be tolerant and understanding. This doesn’t come easily to individuals and it certainly doesn’t come naturally to communities or nations.

We know only too well that a selfish insistence upon our rights and our own point of view leads to disaster. We all ought to know by now that a civilised and peaceful existence is only possible when people make the effort to understand each other.

Looking at the world, one might be forgiven for believing that many people have never heard of this simple idea. Every day there are reports of violence, lawlessness, and the disregard for human life.

Most of this is excused on purely selfish grounds. I know there are millions of kindly people throughout the world who are saddened with me for all those who suffer from these outrages.

In the United Kingdom we have our own particular sorrows in Northern Ireland and I want to send a special message of sympathy to all those men, women and children who have suffered and endured so much.

But there is a light in this tragic situation. The people are steadfastly carrying on their ordinary business in their factories and places of work.

Voluntary workers, both in and out of uniform, have struggled to keep humanity and commonsense alive. The social services have done their job magnificently. The forces of law and order continue their thankless task with the utmost fortitude in the face of appalling provocation.

Britain is about to join her neighbours in the European Community and you may well ask how this will affect the Commonwealth.

The new links with Europe will not replace those with the Commonwealth. They cannot alter our historical and personal attachments with kinsmen and friends overseas. Old friends will not be lost; Britain will take her Commonwealth links into Europe with her.

Britain and these other European countries see in the community a new opportunity for the future. They believe that the things they have in common are more important than the things which divide them, and that if they work together not only they, but the whole world will benefit.

We are trying to create a wider family of nations and it is particularly at Christmas that this family should feel closest together.

Speech delivered as UK troops are deployed to the Persian Gulf, 24 February 1991

As a nation, we are rightly proud of our armed forces. That pride has been fully justified by their conduct in the Gulf war so far. As they, with our allies, face a fresh and yet sterner challenge, I hope that we can unite, and pray that their success will be as swift as it is certain and that it may be achieved with as small a cost in human life and suffering as possible. Then may the true reward of their courage be granted- a just and lasting peace.

‘Annus horribilis’: Queen’s speech at the Guildhall to mark the 40th anniversary of her accession, 24 November 1992

1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an ‘annus horribilis’. I suspect that I am not alone in thinking it so. Indeed, I suspect that there are very few people or institutions unaffected by these last months of worldwide turmoil and uncertainty. This generosity and whole-hearted kindness of the Corporation of the City to Prince Philip 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.

I sometimes wonder how future generations will judge the events of this tumultuous year.

There can be no doubt, of course, that criticism is good for people and institutions that are part of public life. No 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.

Christmas speech, 1996

In difficult times, it is tempting for all of us, especially those who suffer, to look back and say ‘if only’. But to look back in that way is to look down a blind alley. Better to look forward and say ‘if only’.

Address to the nation on the death of Diana, 5 September 1997

We have all been trying in our different ways to cope. It is not easy to express a sense of loss, since the initial shock is often succeeded by a mixture of other feelings: disbelief, incomprehension, anger – and concern for those who remain.

We have all felt those emotions in these last few days. So what I say to you now, as your queen and as a grandmother, I say from my heart.

First, I want to pay tribute to Diana myself. She was an exceptional and gifted human being. In good times and bad, she never lost her capacity to smile and laugh, nor to inspire others with her warmth and kindness.

I admired and respected her – for her energy and commitment to others, and especially for her devotion to her two boys …

No one who knew Diana will ever forget her. Millions of others who never met her, but felt they knew her, will remember her.

The Queen on her golden wedding anniversary, 20 November 1997

When Prince Philip and I were married on this day 50 years ago, Britain had just endured six years of war, emerging battered but victorious. Prince Philip had served in the Royal Navy in the far east, while I was grappling, in the ATS, with the complexities of the combustion engine and learning to drive an ambulance with care.

All too often, I fear, Prince Philip has had to listen to me speaking. Frequently we have discussed my intended speech beforehand and, as you will imagine, his views have been expressed in a forthright manner.

He is someone who doesn’t take easily to compliments but he has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know.

Christmas message, 1999

As I look to the future I have no doubt at all that the one certainty is change – and the pace of that change will only seem to increase …

There are many, for example, of my age or amongst the more vulnerable in society who worry that they will be left behind. The sheer rate of change seems to be sweeping away so much that is familiar and comforting.

But I do not think that we should be over-anxious. We can make sense of the future – if we understand the lessons of the past.

Centenary of the Entente Cordiale, state banquet in Paris, 5 April 2004

If I may be allowed tonight one small British understatement, our historical relationship has not always been smooth. For centuries we fought each other fiercely, often and everywhere – from Hastings to Waterloo, from the heights of Abraham to the mouth of the Nile.

But since 1815 our two nations have not been to war. On the contrary, we have stood together, resolute in defence of liberty and democracy, notably through the terrible global conflicts of the 20th century.

We are both reminded that neither of our two great nations, nor Europe, nor the wider western alliance, can afford the luxury of short-term division or discord, in the face of threats to our security and prosperity that now challenge us all.

Of course, we will never agree on everything. Life would be dull indeed, not least for the rest of the world, if we did not allow ourselves a little space to live up to our national caricatures – British pragmatism and French elan; French conceptualism and British humour; British rain and French sun; I think we should enjoy the complementarity of it all.

I believe our two peoples understand this sometimes more clearly than our governments. Thousands of British are settling, living and working in France, and thousands of French are crossing the Channel to do the same. Millions of British holidaymakers visit France each year.

Our histories have made us frequent rivals, but like our forebears a hundred years ago, we now need to recognise that we are natural 21st-century partners in Europe and the wider world.

Vive la difference, mais vive L’Entente Cordiale.

60th anniversary D-day commemoration in Arromanches, 6 June 2004

This audience knows of the historic significance of what took place here 60 years ago: the sheer size and scope of the operation – it included the largest massed airborne landing yet attempted anywhere and successfully made; the boldness and imagination of the concept; the months of painstaking planning; the endless training and waiting; and then the ferocity of the day itself and the campaign that followed.

None of this meticulous preparation would have achieved anything without the courage and fortitude, and the dogged determination, of the hundreds of thousands of servicemen who landed on the beaches on that day, and then fought their way inland in the face of determined opposition.

After so many frustrating delays, the invasion of Europe, for which everyone in the free world had been praying, had finally started, and everyone hoped that it would lead to a speedy end to the war. My father broadcast to the nation on that day and said: “Once more a supreme test has to be faced. This time the challenge is not to fight to survive, but to fight to win the final victory for the good cause”.

There is just one thing more I want to say. What for you is a haunting memory of danger and sacrifice one summer long ago, is for your country, and for generations of your countrymen to come, one of the proudest moments in our long national history.

I take it upon myself to express the immense debt of gratitude we owe to you all. I salute you, and thank you on behalf of our whole nation.

Opening of a memorial fountain to Diana, 6 July 2004

It is sometimes difficult to believe that it is now nearly seven years since we heard the news that Diana, Princess of Wales had been killed in a car crash in Paris.

By any standard Diana’s tragic death held the attention of the world. Central to this remains the extraordinary effect Diana had on those around her. Her drive to empathise with those in difficulty, hardship or distress, her willingness to embrace a new cause, her shrewd ability to size up all those she met, allowed her not only to touch people’s lives but to change them.

This is her wider legacy. But I cannot forget – and nor can those of us here today who knew her much more personally, as sister, wife, mother, or daughter-in-law – the Diana who made such an impact on our lives. Of course, there were difficult times, but memories mellow with the passing of the years. I remember especially the happiness she gave to my two grandsons.

The Queen’s 80th birthday speech at Mansion House, 15 June 2006

As one gets older, birthdays seem to come round quicker; they are therefore less obvious excuses for wider celebration than personal moments to count one’s blessings. As Groucho Marx once said: “Anyone can get old – all you have to do is live long enough.”

Address to the UN general assembly, 2010

I believe I was last here in 1957. Since then, I have travelled widely and met many leaders, ambassadors, and statesmen from around the world. I address you today as Queen of 16 United Nations member states and as head of the Commonwealth of 54 countries.

The achievements of the United Nations are remarkable. When I was first here, there were just three United Nations operations overseas. Now, over 120,000 men and women are deployed in 26 missions across the world. You have helped to reduce conflict; you have offered humanitarian assistance to millions of people affected by natural disasters and other emergencies; and you have been deeply committed to tackling the effects of poverty in many parts of the world.

But so much remains to be done. Former secretary general Dag Hammarskjöld once said that “constant attention by a good nurse may be just as important as a major operation by a surgeon”. Good nurses get better with practice; sadly the supply of patients never ceases.

In my lifetime, the United Nation[s] has – has moved from being a high-minded aspiration to being a real force for common good. That of itself has been a signal achievement. But we are not gathered here to reminisce. In tomorrow’s world, we must all work together as hard as ever if we are truly to be United Nations.

Speech during the Queen’s first visit ever to Ireland, at Dublin Castle, 18 May 2011

Together we have much to celebrate: the ties between our people, the shared values, and the economic, business and cultural links that make us so much more than neighbours, that make us firm friends and equal partners …

Of course, the relationship has not always been straightforward; nor has the record over the centuries been entirely benign.

It is a sad and regrettable reality that through history our islands have experienced more than their fair share of heartache, turbulence and loss.

These events have touched us all, many of us personally, and are a painful legacy. We can never forget those who have died or been injured or their families.

To all those who have suffered as a consequence of our troubled past I extend my sincere thoughts and deep sympathy.

With the benefit of historical hindsight we can all see things which we would wish had been done differently or not at all.

Speech during President Barack Obama’s state visit, 24 May 2011

Mr President,

I am delighted to welcome you and Mrs Obama to London.

Your visit to this country inevitably reminds us of our shared history, our common language, and our strong intellectual and cultural links. It also reminds us that your country twice came to the rescue of the free and democratic world when it was facing military disaster. On each occasion, after the end of those destructive wars, the generosity of the United States made a massive contribution to our economic recovery. Today the United States remains our most important ally and our two nations contribute to the security and prosperity of our peoples, and of the world, through shared national interests.

But our relationship goes far beyond our military and diplomatic ties. Entertainment may not be so obviously an example of our close ties, but it forms part of the lives of a great many of our people. Over the years, we have enjoyed some of America’s most spectacular musical productions and any number of what we call films – and you might prefer to call movies. In return, British films and theatrical productions have achieved considerable success in your country. This exchange of people and projects has enlarged and invigorated our common language – although I think you will agree we do not always use it in quite the same way!

Queen’s address to the Houses of Parliament to mark her diamond jubilee, 20 March 2012

Parliament has survived as an unshakeable cornerstone of our constitution and our way of life. History links monarchs and parliament, a connecting thread from one period to the next. So, in an era when the regular, worthy rhythm of life is less eye-catching than doing something extraordinary, I am reassured that I am merely the second sovereign to celebrate a diamond jubilee.

Since my accession, I have been a regular visitor to the Palace of Westminster and, at the last count, have had the pleasurable duty of treating with 12 prime ministers.

The happy relationship I have enjoyed with parliament has extended well beyond the more than three and a half thousand bills I have signed into law.

We are reminded here of our past, of the continuity of our national story and the virtues of resilience, ingenuity and tolerance which created it. I have been privileged to witness some of that history and, with the support of my family, rededicate myself to the service of our great country and its people now and in the years to come.

Queen’s speech at the Olympic heads of government reception, 27 July 2012

Over recent months, many in these islands have watched with growing excitement the journey of the Olympic torch around the United Kingdom. As the torch has passed through villages and towns it has drawn people together as families and communities. To me, this spirit of togetherness is a most important part of the Olympic ideal; and the British people can be proud of the part they have played in keeping the spirit alive. Many sports played in these Games have their historic roots in this country; and as a nation we have an abiding passion for sport, as well as a tradition of fair play and a good-natured sense of fun.

In all our national Olympics teams there is so much of which we can be proud: groups of young men and women dedicated to excellence and achievement across numerous sporting disciplines. And these teams are ably supported by thousands of organisers, volunteers, and supporters who will be following the action not just at the Olympic venues here in the United Kingdom but throughout the world.

For all these reasons, I wish you and your countries a successful, enjoyable and memorable Games.

‘We will meet again’: Queen’s pandemic speech, recorded at Windsor Castle, 5 April 2020

I am speaking to you at what I know is an increasingly challenging time. A time of disruption in the life of our country: a disruption that has brought grief to some, financial difficulties to many, and enormous changes to the daily lives of us all.

I want to thank everyone on the NHS frontline, as well as care workers and those carrying out essential roles, who selflessly continue their day-to-day duties outside the home in support of us all.

I also want to thank those of you who are staying at home, thereby helping to protect the vulnerable and sparing many families the pain already felt by those who have lost loved ones. Together we are tackling this disease, and I want to reassure you that if we remain united and resolute, then we will overcome it.

I hope in the years to come everyone will be able to take pride in how they responded to this challenge. And those who come after us will say the Britons of this generation were as strong as any.

That the attributes of self-discipline, of quiet good-humoured resolve and of fellow-feeling still characterise this country. The pride in who we are is not a part of our past, it defines our present and our future.

The moments when the United Kingdom has come together to applaud its care and essential workers will be remembered as an expression of our national spirit; and its symbol will be the rainbows drawn by children.

It reminds me of the very first broadcast I made, in 1940, helped by my sister. We, as children, spoke from here at Windsor to children who had been evacuated from their homes and sent away for their own safety. Today, once again, many will feel a painful sense of separation from their loved ones.

This time we join with all nations across the globe in a common endeavour, using the great advances of science and our instinctive compassion to heal. We will succeed – and that success will belong to every one of us.

We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return: we will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again. But for now, I send my thanks and warmest good wishes to you all.

• Queen Elizabeth II

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Queen's Speech 2021

Her Majesty’s most gracious speech to both Houses of Parliament.

My lords and members of the House of Commons.

My Government’s priority is to deliver a national recovery from the pandemic that makes the United Kingdom stronger, healthier and more prosperous than before.

To achieve this, my Government will level up opportunities across all parts of the United Kingdom, supporting jobs, businesses and economic growth and addressing the impact of the pandemic on public services.

My Government will protect the health of the nation, continuing the vaccination programme and providing additional funding to support the NHS. My Ministers will bring forward legislation to empower the NHS to innovate and embrace technology. Patients will receive more tailored and preventative care, closer to home [Health and Care Bill]. Measures will be brought forward to support the health and wellbeing of the nation, including to tackle obesity and improve mental health. Proposals on social care reform will be brought forward.

My Government will build on the success of the vaccination programme to lead the world in life sciences, pioneering new treatments against diseases like cancer and securing jobs and investment across the country.

My Ministers will oversee the fastest ever increase in public funding for research and development and pass legislation to establish an advanced research agency [Advanced Research and Invention Agency Bill].

Following the unprecedented support provided to businesses during the pandemic, proposals will be brought forward to create and support jobs and improve regulation.

My Government will strengthen the economic ties across the union, investing in and improving national infrastructure. Proposals will be taken forward to transform connectivity by rail and bus [High Speed Rail (Crewe – Manchester) Bill] and to extend 5G mobile coverage and gigabit capable broadband [Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill].

Legislation will support a lifetime skills guarantee to enable flexible access to high quality education and training throughout people’s lives [Skills and Post-16 Education Bill].

Measures will be introduced to ensure that support for businesses reflects the United Kingdom’s strategic interests and drives economic growth [Subsidy Control Bill]. Laws will simplify procurement in the public sector [Procurement Bill]. Eight new Freeports will create hubs for trade and help regenerate communities [National Insurance Contributions Bill].

My Government will ensure that the public finances are returned to a sustainable path once the economic recovery is secure.

Measures will be brought forward to ensure that children have the best start in life, prioritising their early years. My Ministers will address lost learning during the pandemic and ensure every child has a high quality education and is able to fulfil their potential.

My Government will help more people to own their own home whilst enhancing the rights of those who rent. Laws to modernise the planning system, so that more homes can be built, will be brought forward, along with measures to end the practice of ground rents for new leasehold properties [Planning Bill, Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Bill]. My Ministers will establish in law a new Building Safety Regulator to ensure that the tragedies of the past are never repeated [Building Safety Bill].

Measures will be brought forward to address racial and ethnic disparities and ban conversion therapy.

Legislation will support the voluntary sector by reducing unnecessary bureaucracy and releasing additional funds for good causes [Dormant Assets Bill, Charities Bill].

My Government will invest in new green industries to create jobs, while protecting the environment. The United Kingdom is committed to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and will continue to lead the way internationally by hosting the COP26 Summit in Glasgow. Legislation will set binding environmental targets [Environment Bill]. Legislation will also be brought forward to ensure the United Kingdom has, and promotes, the highest standards of animal welfare [Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill, Kept Animals Bill, Animals Abroad Bill].

My Government will strengthen and renew democracy and the constitution. Legislation will be introduced to ensure the integrity of elections, protect freedom of speech and restore the balance of power between the executive, legislature and the courts [Electoral Integrity Bill, Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill, Judicial Review Bill, Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Bill]. My Ministers will promote the strength and integrity of the union. Measures will be brought forward to strengthen devolved Government in Northern Ireland and address the legacy of the past [Northern Ireland (Ministers, Elections and Petitions of Concerns) Bill, Legacy Legislation].

My Government will introduce measures to increase the safety and security of its citizens.

Legislation will increase sentences for the most serious and violent offenders and ensure the timely administration of justice [Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill]. Proposals will be brought forward to address violence, including against women and girls, and to support victims [Draft Victims Bill]. Measures will be brought forward to establish a fairer immigration system that strengthens the United Kingdom’s borders and deters criminals who facilitate dangerous and illegal journeys [New Plan for Immigration Legislation].

My Government will lead the way in ensuring internet safety for all, especially for children [Draft Online Safety Bill] whilst harnessing the benefits of a free, open and secure internet.

My Ministers will provide our gallant Armed Services with the biggest spending increase in thirty years, taking forward their programme of modernisation and reinforcing the United Kingdom’s commitment to NATO. My Ministers will honour and strengthen the Armed Forces Covenant, placing it in law [Armed Forces Bill]. Measures will be introduced to provide National Insurance contribution relief for employers of veterans [National Insurance Contributions Bill].

Legislation will be introduced to counter hostile activity by foreign states [Counter-State Threats Bill, Telecommunications (Security) Bill]. My Ministers will implement the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy.

The United Kingdom will host the G7 Summit and lead the global effort to secure a robust economic recovery from the pandemic. My Ministers will deepen trade ties in the Gulf, Africa and the Indo-Pacific.

My Government will continue to provide aid where it has the greatest impact on reducing poverty and alleviating human suffering. My Government will uphold human rights and democracy across the world. It will take forward a global effort to get 40 million girls across the world into school.

Members of the House of Commons.

Estimates for the public services will be laid before you.

Other measures will be laid before you.

I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your counsels.

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Princess Anne Was With the Queen For the Last ’24 Hours of Her Life’—Inside Her Final Moments

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Since her death, well wishers have wondered what Queen Elizabeth ‘s last words were and what her final moments with the British royal family were like before she passed.

Queen Elizabeth II is the first child of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. She became Queen of the United Kingdom as well as the other Commonwealth countries in February 1952 after the death of her father. She was 25 years old at the time. She was married to Philip Mountbatten, a former prince of Greece and Denmark, from November 1947 until Prince Philip’s death in April 2021. The two had four children together: Charles , Prince of Wales; Anne, Princess Royal; Prince Andrew, Duke of York; and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex.

After more than 70 years on the throne, Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8, 2022. She was 96 years old. In a 1957 Christmas Broadcast, the Queen promised the United Kingdom she would give her “heart” and “devotion” to the Commonwealth. “I cannot lead you into battle,” she said at the time. “I do not give you laws or administer justice, but I can do something else: I can give my heart and my devotion to these old islands and to all the peoples of our brotherhood of nations.”

'Elizabeth the Queen' by Sally Bedell Smith

The Queen’s death came three months after her Platinum Jubilee event in June 2022, which celebrated her 70 years on the throne. After her Platinum Jubilee, the Queen thanked royal well-wishers for supporting her family. “When it comes to how to mark seventy years as your Queen, there is no guidebook to follow. It really is a first. But I have been humbled and deeply touched that so many people have taken to the streets to celebrate my Platinum Jubilee,” the Queen said in a statement at the time. She continued, “While I may not have attended every event in person, my heart has been with you all; and I remain committed to serving you to the best of my ability, supported by my family.” She ended her message by telling her supporters about the “joy” she felt that weekend. “I have been inspired by the kindness, joy and kinship that has been so evident in recent days, and I hope this renewed sense of togetherness will be felt for many years to come. I thank you most sincerely for your good wishes and for the part you have all played in these happy celebrations,” she said at the time.

So what were Queen Elizabeth’s last words? Read on for what we know about Queen Elizabeth’s last words and her final moments with the British royal family before her death.

What were Queen Elizabeth’s last words?

What were Queen Elizabeth’s last words? Queen Elizabeth II’s exact last words aren’t known, however, her daughter, Princess Anne, revealed in a post on the British royal family’s official Instagram account in September 2022 that she was with the Queen in the last 24 hours of her life, which she called an “honor” and a “privilege.” “I was fortunate to share the last 24 hours of my dearest Mother’s life,” she wrote at the time. “It has been an honour and a privilege to accompany her on her final journeys. Witnessing the love and respect shown by so many on these journeys has been both humbling and uplifting. We will all share unique memories. I offer my thanks to each and every one who share our sense of loss.” Princess Anne continued, “We may have been reminded how much of her presence and contribution to our national identity we took for granted. I am also so grateful for the support and understanding offered to my dear brother Charles as he accepts the added responsibilities of The Monarch. To my mother, The Queen, thank you.”

The Queen’s death was announced at 6:41 p.m. London time on the British royal family’s official Twitter account. “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon,” Buckingham Palace’s statement read. “The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.” Newsweek’s Chief Royal Correspondent Jack Royston told True Royalty TV in September 2022 that Charles only learned of his mother’s health shortly before the public.

Royston also reported that TODAY host Jenna Bush Hager, told him earlier that week that she had a scheduled si-down interview with Camilla at Dumfries House when when they heard “footsteps” in the corridor. “Charles took a call, everything was silent, and they were asked to be silent. Then the next thing she knew, Charles and Camilla were in a helicopter,” Royston said. “And that was at 12:30, so that was around exactly the same time that we were told. So they didn’t wait, they didn’t give Charles an hour or two hours.” According to The Washington Post , however, the Queen’s death was rumored to occur at 3 p.m. London time, with Buckingham Palace notifying Prime Minister Liz Truss of the death at 4:30 p.m. London time.

While Queen Elizabeth’s last words aren’t known, 7News reported that the Queen’s final public statement after 70 years of service was a message of condolence she sent to the Canadian public after a stabbing rampage that left 10 people dead and 18 injured in the village of Weldor in Saskatchewan, Canada. “I would like to extend my condolences to those who have lost loved ones in the attacks that occurred this past weekend in Saskatchewan. My thoughts and prayers are with those recovering from injuries, and grieving such horrific losses. I mourn with all Canadians at this tragic time,” the Queen’s statement read. The Queen’s death comes less than two years after the death of her husband, Prince Philip, who died on April 9, 2021. According to Hello , Queen Elizabeth’s last words to Philip were written in a handwritten card edged in black that she placed with a wreath of white lilies, small white roses, white freesias, white wax flowers, white sweet peas and jasmine on the top of his coffin at his funeral. “In loving memory, Elizabeth,” the card read.

Queen Elizabeth II is also a successor of Queen Elizabeth I, also known as the Virgin Queen, who was Queen of England and Ireland from 1558 until her death in 1603. According to RMG , Queen Elizabeth I’s last words were, “All my possessions for one moment of time.”

How did Queen Elizabeth die?

How did Queen Elizabeth die? Queen Elizabeth II died “peacefully” at her home at Balmoral Castle in Scotland in the afternoon of September 8, 2022. She was 96. Buckingham Palace confirmed her death in a statement. She will be succeeded by her son, Charles, Prince of Wales, who will now become King Charles III. Charles’ wife, Camila, Duchess of Cornwall, will now become The Queen Sonsort. “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon,” Buckingham Palace’s statement read. “The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.” The Queen’s death came hours after after Buckingham Palace announced that she had been placed under “medical supervision” due to “concerns” from her doctors. “Following further evaluation this morning, The Queen’s doctors are concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision,” the Buckingham Palace said at the time. “The Queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral.” The statement continued, “Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall have traveled to Balmoral.”

After the Queen passed away, Charles—the heir apparent to the British royal throne and the Queen’s eldest son with her late husband, Prince Philip—honored his mother in a statement on the official Royal Family Twitter. “The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family,” the statement read. “We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished sovereign, and much-loved mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world. During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection on which The Queen was so widely held.”

The Queen was surrounded by British royal family members at the time of her death. Along with Charles and Camila, the Queen’s second and third sons with Philip—Prince Andrew and Prince Edward—were seen arriving at Aberdeen Airport in Scotland shortly before her death. Prince Edward’s wife, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, was also seen arriving at the airport, as well as the Queen’s eldest grandson, Prince William. The Queen’s second eldest grandson, Prince Harry, wasn’t seen at Balmoral Castle until hours after her death. He traveled from Germany, where he and his wife, Meghan Markle, were promoting the Invictus Games, to Scotland. Meghan, for her part, didn’t join Harry at Balmoral Castle and remained in Germany at the time of the Queen’s death. William’s wife, Kate Middleton, also wasn’t present at Balmoral Castle and stayed in Windsor, England, as September 8 was the first day of school for her and William’s children: Prince George, 9, Princess Charlotte, 7, and Prince Louis, 4.

What was Queen Elizabeth’s cause of death?

What was Queen Elizabeth’s cause of death? Queen Elizabeth II’s cause of death hasn’t been confirmed. However, her death came hours after after Buckingham Palace announced that she had been placed under “medical supervision” due to “concerns” from her doctors. “Following further evaluation this morning, The Queen’s doctors are concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision,” the Buckingham Palace said at the time. “The Queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral.” The statement continued, “Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall have traveled to Balmoral.”  The statement also came a day after the Queen cancelled a scheduled Privy Council meeting so he could rest. “After a full day yesterday, Her Majesty has this afternoon accepted doctors’ advice to rest,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement on September 7, 2022. “This means that the Privy Council meeting that had been due to take place this evening will be rearranged.”

Before her death, the Queen had been seen regularly using a cane since October 2021. That month, she cancelled a scheduled trip to Northern Ireland under the advice of her doctors and spent a night in the hospital. “The Queen has reluctantly accepted medical advice to rest for the next few days,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement at the time. “Her Majesty is in good spirits and is disappointed that she will no longer be able to visit Northern Ireland, where she had been due to undertake a series of engagements today and tomorrow.”

After her hospitalization, Buckingham Palace confirmed in a statement at the time that the Queen “remains in good spirits” following her overnight stay, where she underwent “preliminary investigations.” “Following medical advice to rest for a few days, the Queen attended hospital on Wednesday afternoon for some preliminary investigations, returning to Windsor Castle at lunchtime today and remains in good spirits,” the statement read.

The Queen’s death also came a year after she tested positive for COVID-19 following close contact with Charles, who contracted the virus earlier that month. At the time, celebrity gossip website Hollywood Unlocked , falsely reported that the Queen had died at the age of 95 from COVID-19. The site falsely reported at the time that the Queen was “found dead” after she was set to attend a wedding. “It is with our deepest regret to inform you that Britain’s Queen Elizabeth has died,” Hollywood Unlocked’s report read at the time. “Sources close to the Royal Kingdom notified us exclusively that Queen Elizabeth has passed away. She was scheduled to attend the wedding of British Vogue editor Edward Enninful, but was found dead.”

While the site didn’t credit any official royal  sources, Hollywood Unlocked CEO and founder Jason Lee took to his Twitter  at the time to back up the outlet’s report. “We don’t post lies and I always stand by my sources,” he wrote at the time. “Waiting for an official statement from the palace.” Lee later reiterated his stance on Instagram , writing, “I’ve never lied;” “I’ve never been wrong;” “I trust my sources;” and “I have yet to see an official statement from the palace saying otherwise,” in a numbered list. Despite Lee’s statement, however, the news of the Queen’s death at the time was false.

After the Queen tested positive for COVID-19 in February 2022, a source told Us Weekly at the time the monarch had been recovering “without any fuss” despite Hollywood Unlocked’s report of her death. “Of course, she has a team of doctors to lean on whenever needed and a support staff that’s second to none,” the insider told the magazine. “But thus far Her Majesty has been handling this without any fuss or need to involve too many others in her recovery.” After reports the Queen was still alive, Hollywood Unlocked issued a  statement on social media apologizing for the incorrect story and blaming the report on an “intern journalist” who “published the draft post by mistake.” The site added, “Our deepest apologies goes out to the #RoyalFamily and all involved in this embarrassing situation. It was an accident and we’re working hard to make sure that this mistake never happens again.”

For more about the British royal family, check out Sally Bedell Smith’s 2012 biography, Elizabeth the Queen: The Life of a Modern Monarch . The New York Times bestseller, which includes the “real story” behind several storylines featured in Netflix’s The Crown , follows Queen Elizabeth II’s life from her childhood as the “heiress presumptive” to her father, King George VI; to the moment he et her husband, Prince Philip, when she was 13 years old; to her ascension to the throne at 25 years old in 1952. Elizabeth the Queen, which also includes interviews with Buckingham Palace sources and never-before-revealed documents, provides a deep dive into the Queen’s legacy as one of the most famous monarchs in recent history.

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Queen Misses a Traditional Ceremony, at a Disorderly Moment for Britain

For only the third time in 70 years, Elizabeth was unable to deliver her speech at the State Opening of Parliament. The palace said she had been having trouble walking; Prince Charles stood in.

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By Mark Landler

Queen Elizabeth II has died . Follow the latest coverage .

LONDON — Britain opened its Parliament on Tuesday with all the pomp of an age-old ceremony: the imperial crown, carried on a velvet pillow; members of the royal family, parading through the House of Lords in military regalia; and the Queen’s Speech, setting out the government’s legislative agenda.

Only this time, Prince Charles read the speech, filling in for Queen Elizabeth II , who missed the ceremony, one of her most solemn constitutional duties, for only the third time in 70 years. Her absence was striking, and a poignant metaphor for a country in which multiple pillars of the establishment, from Buckingham Palace to Westminster, are in flux.

The queen, 96, canceled the night before because she was having trouble walking, according to the palace. It was the first time she had formally ceded her responsibilities to her eldest son and heir, Charles, a clear sign that the British monarchy has taken on the elements of a regency, in fact if not in law.

“The king in waiting is having to act more and more like he’s the monarch, but without yet wearing the crown,” said Peter Hunt, a former royal correspondent for the BBC. “As the queen has aged, change has occurred without any fanfare.”

She is not the only prominent figure at a crossroads. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, already scarred by a scandal over illicit parties held during the pandemic , is clinging to power after his Conservative Party suffered setbacks in local elections last week.

The opposition leader, Keir Starmer, who has been trying to leverage Mr. Johnson’s travails into a return to power for Labour, is on the defensive himself for potentially breaching Covid restrictions by eating and drinking with members of his party. He has vowed to resign if the police fine him for breaking the rules.

And the government itself faces a surfeit of challenges, including galloping inflation and the threat of a recession, and another potential clash with the European Union over trade rules in Northern Ireland . In one of the speech’s first lines, Charles said that the government would “help ease the cost of living for families.”

As expected, the government did not announce plans to overturn the trade arrangements with Northern Ireland. But it may do so in coming weeks; there was pointed language about its determination to preserve the economic bonds between the parts of the United Kingdom — something that critics say is undermined by the post-Brexit trade rules in the North.

Scrapping those rules would reverberate widely, potentially igniting a trade war with the European Union and antagonizing the Biden administration. Washington has warned Mr. Johnson not to take steps that could undermine the 1998 Good Friday Agreement , which ended decades of sectarian bloodshed in Northern Ireland and is important to President Biden.

A landmark victory by the Irish nationalist party, Sinn Fein, in legislative elections in the North last week has further roiled the waters. Angry unionists are refusing to take part in a government with a Sinn Fein politician at the helm, potentially portending years of dysfunction in Belfast. The rise of the nationalists has kindled hopes for Irish unity, which would be an alarming development for a British government already confronting an independence-minded Scotland .

“The continued success and integrity of the whole of the United Kingdom is of paramount importance,” Prince Charles read out in the speech.

Charles also affirmed Britain’s staunch role in supporting Ukraine in the war with Russia . Mr. Johnson’s enthusiastic embrace of Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, and Britain’s proactive agenda of providing weapons, has helped him change the subject in recent weeks from months of bad headlines.

Mr. Johnson survived last week’s election, despite his party’s losing nearly 500 seats in local government, an outcome at the dismal end of expectations. On Tuesday, he sought to regain his footing, using the Queen’s Speech to promote deregulatory policies that will aim to capitalize on Britain’s divorce from Brussels .

He was helped by the spotlight swinging awkwardly to Mr. Starmer, who is now under police investigation for attending a beer-and-Indian-food dinner in the north of England last year at a time when most social gatherings were forbidden. He denies breaking the law but has said that he will step down if the police find that he did, drawing a distinct — and certainly deliberate — contrast with Mr. Johnson, who has refused to resign, even after paying a fine.

For his part, Mr. Johnson also faces further fines and the publication of findings by the government’s internal investigator, Sue Gray, who is likely to paint a damning picture of the alcohol-fueled culture in Downing Street.

Whatever the pressures they were under, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Starmer managed to chat cordially, even smiling a bit, as they walked to the House of Lords together on Tuesday to listen to the Queen’s Speech.

By tradition, lawmakers were summoned from the House of Commons by a figure called the lady usher of the black rod, who, as a representative of the lords, first had the door slammed in her face as a symbolic sign of the independence of the Commons.

It was one of a choreographed series of moves on a day that would normally be reassuringly familiar — except for the lack of its principal player. The queen’s decision to cancel, taken reluctantly after consulting her doctors, came after she suffered “episodic mobility problems,” the palace said on Monday evening.

The decision to have Charles read the Queen’s Speech sent royal legal experts rushing to their rule books. It was a “constitutional innovation,” said Vernon Bogdanor, a professor of government at King’s College London who has written about the role of the monarchy in Britain’s constitutional system.

On the two previous times that the queen has missed the opening — in 1959 and 1963, both when she was pregnant — the lord chancellor read her speech. But Professor Bogdanor said that the lord chancellor post had changed over the years: The current occupant, Dominic Raab, is a member of the House of Commons and the justice minister in Mr. Johnson’s government, making him a less suitable stand-in.

To invest her son with the authority to read the speech, the queen had to issue a legal decree, known as a Letters Patent. The decree also designated her grandson Prince William, the eldest son of Charles, as another of her representatives at the ceremony. Such a delegation of royal duties is almost unheard-of for the queen, who has pledged since the dawn of her reign that she would serve until her death.

Legally speaking, though, Britain is not in a regency, according to Professor Bogdanor. To qualify for that status, he said, three of five senior British officials — Prince Charles, the lord chancellor, the speaker of the House of Commons, the lord chief justice and the master of the rolls — would have to agree that the queen was permanently incapable of carrying out her duties.

“There is no evidence that this is the case,” Professor Bogdanor said. “Given the development of modern technology, the queen can continue to perform her constitutional functions without actually being present physically.”

Stephen Castle contributed reporting

Mark Landler is the London bureau chief. In 27 years at The Times, he has been bureau chief in Hong Kong and Frankfurt, White House correspondent, diplomatic correspondent, European economic correspondent, and a business reporter in New York. More about Mark Landler

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Transcript: Queen Rania al Abdullah of Jordan on "Face the Nation," May 5, 2024

Updated on: May 5, 2024 / 10:39 AM EDT / CBS News

The following is a transcript of an interview with Queen Rania al Abdullah of Jordan that aired on May 5, 2024.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Your Majesty, thank you for making time for us.

QUEEN RANIA AL ABDULLAH: Thank you. It's a pleasure to be here.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Jordan has two field hospitals inside of Gaza, Jordan is helping to get aid into the Strip. The UN estimates that at least 15,000 children have been killed since this war began in October. What is the impact in the region? 

QUEEN RANIA: Well, look, first of all, Gaza in the last seven months has become unrecognizable. Cities have turned into a wasteland. Growing happy children have been reduced to skin and bone. 2.3 million people in a short, in a small area have been going through hell every single day. 1.7 million of them have been displaced, and not just one some of them several times. And they're currently living in conditions that are unimaginable, in makeshift shelters, in tents on the street. A UNICEF was hearing from teenage girls saying that they would rather be killed than live under these conditions. And so many have been killed, almost 35,000 People 70% of them women and children. As you mentioned, almost 15,000 Children, Gaza has the highest, unfortunately, sadly, the highest cohort of child amputees. And every couple of days, we're losing children to starvation. We in the Arab world have been seeing this war live streamed every single day, and it has become central to our lives. And it's been quite devastating. And the impact has been obviously, people are so traumatized by what they're seeing every day, we were traumatized by October 7, but then this war, we feel is not, you know, Israel is saying that this was a defensive war. Obviously, it was instigated by October 7, but the way it's being fought is not in a defensive way. You know, 60% of homes have been destroyed. 80% of schools and health care centers have been destroyed. Are we to believe that they were Hamas operatives and each one of those? You know, so so, you know, the- the impact has been very, very big on us. And I think people, I'm not sure if your viewers know this, but people view the U.S. as being a party to this war. Because, you know, Israeli officials say that without US support, they couldn't launch this war, you know, you turn off the tap and the weapons dry out. So and so there has been anger in our part of the world, not just what- what's happening, but at the world's reaction. When we see these violations, human rights violations and international law violations, and we're watching the World letting it happen. When October 7th happened, the world rightfully condemned and took strong actions, strong positions. We are outraged that the same is not happening when Palestinians are getting killed. And so there is a sense of the selective application of humanitarian law and a sense of unfairness, a sense of our lives don't matter as much. And, you know, this is something I think that's creating a, certainly causing a great loss of credibility to the US, but also causing us to rethink our, our view of the world order, you know. As cruel and-and ugly as the war in Gaza is, the state of our rules-based world order is looking exponentially worse. People are looking at Gaza as a reflection of the rest of the world where, you know, the rules don't matter, where international law doesn't matter, where UN resolutions can be ignored. And I think that sets a very, very dangerous precedent. Because actions like these, they're not only a betrayal for the people of Gaza, but they're actually a betrayal of the safeguards that are meant to keep us all safe.

MARGARET BRENNAN: You said people back home see the United States as complicit in what's happening? 

QUEEN RANIA: They see it as an enabler, you know. So clearly the US is the country that has most leverage over the US- over Israel. And like I said, you know, it is the biggest ally and biggest supporter. And the Arab world is getting- the rest of the world actually is getting mixed messages. On the one hand, the US is demanding that more aid rightfully go back into Gaza. At the same time, they're- they're denying that the starvation is intentional. On the one hand, they are outraged by the attacks on the aid convoys. But at the same time, they're denying that Israel is violating international humanitarian law. There's an expression of concern over civilian deaths, but at the same time, there's a provision of offensive weapons to Israel that are used against Palestinians. So in a sense, you know, you- when you try so hard to thread the needle, you can risk dropping the ball, you can risk letting your values and principles unravel and, and that has a deep impact. So for example, even when the US allowed the UN Security Council resolution on the ceasefire to pass, the next day, there was an announcement saying that it's not it's not legally binding. UN resolutions are absolutely legally binding. And these legal frameworks are there to ensure that all countries adhere to standards of conduct. They're either applicable to everyone or they're not. Either everyone is accountable or no one is. So the next time a country breaks rules, you know, and the US comes and tries to apply more authority, those countries are going to say, well, you made an exception here. So why apply it to us? So I think people, you know, we are seeing Israel falling short of moral standard after moral stand- legal standard after legal standard, and the world is refusing to act. So I think Gaza now is like a microcosm of our new world disorder, of the breakdown of international norms of the return of might is right. And I think that's very dangerous, not just for our region, but for the entire world. 

MARGARET BRENNAN: You know, recently President Biden, just about a month ago, warned Prime Minister Netanyahu that US policy would change, if Israel's behavior and conduct in this war didn't change. Do you believe the US is starting to use the leverage you say it has?

QUEEN RANIA: Well, look, there's definitely been a change in tone and language. And you're right, the President has been warning and has been trying very hard to persuade Netanyahu, for example, to not enter Rafah. But we've seen time and again, Israeli officials, not heeding the warnings or counsel or advice of allies. So, I think it's time that the international community, including the US, really use this political leverage to compel Israel to end the war and to let aid in.

MARGARET BRENNAN: How?

QUEEN RANIA: It's an- it's- by taking measures, right. So again, it's by standing up for international law, saying, for example, the building of illegal settlements is- is wrong. And it has to stop. It's by saying that, you know, we're not going to provide you with offensive weapons, it's by saying, we're not going to continue to use our veto to not hold Israel accountable- accountable, when it breaks the law. Diplomatic pressure is also very, very important. So there are many tools that the US has in order to compel Israel to do the right thing. And I think, for the sake of our world, the US may be Israel's most- closest ally, but a good friend holds a friend accountable. You don't give them a carte blanche when they're not doing the right thing. And I think it does Israel a great disservice when we don't hold it accountable, because it creates a culture of impunity. And that has been the situation for decades, where they feel that they can, they can be the exception to every international law and standard. Either you're part of the international community, and you abide by the rules, or you're a pariah state that's not- that's made an exception to every rule. So, so I think that if you care about your ally, you will actually take action to set them- and that will be for Israel's best interest in the long term.

MARGARET BRENNAN: In the beginning of this war, you were outspoken about the humanitarian concerns very early on, and you are the Queen of Jordan, but you're also Palestinian.

QUEEN RANIA: Right.

MARGARET BRENNAN: You argued people need to understand that Palestinian mothers love their children just as much as Israeli mothers. Why do you feel like that needed to be said?

QUEEN RANIA: Well, because, you know, for decades, the dehumanization of Palestinians, has been an intentional approach that Israel adopted in order to numb people to Palestinian suffering. You know, it's actually quite surprising to see just how deep the undercurrents of dehumanization has run. Israelis have pretty much you know, Arabs are generally accused of teaching hate, Palestinians as well. But it's Israelis have actually walled Palestinians out of sight and out of mind, it's kind of reduced them to nameless, faceless security threats that you have to defend yourself against. They don't learn about Palestinians. They're never introduced to them as real people. Any attempts to bring Palestinian stories into books are-are barred. So this sense of- and we actually saw that, you know, among the people blocking aid into Palestinians were young teenagers, I can't understand how anybody could be so indifferent to human suffering.

MARGARET BRENNAN: You're talking now about some of the protests that are trying to interrupt the shipment of aid into Gaza?

QUEEN RANIA: I'm talking about a deep culture, an omnipresent perspective about Palestinians, that says that Palestinians are subhuman, that they are violent because of something intrinsic in them. It's something in their nature. It's- it's, it's not because there is violence inflicted on them. And so when you reduce people to a violent, people who are different to us, so they're not moral like us, so therefore it's okay to inflict pain and suffering on them because they don't feel it the same way we do. It allows people to do bad things. That's-that's the mental loophole of dehumanization, it allows you to justify the unjustifiable, to do bad things and still see yourself as a good person. And we're seeing that happen in the case of Palestinians, they don't feel the Palestinians, that's why I said the mothers love their children the same way because, you know, it allows you to do bad things and not really have a moral dilemma with it. And that's what- what's happening. But you know, dehumanization works both ways. Because when you lose your ability to empathize towards the other side, you become hardened yourself, it degrades your own, your own humanity. And we're seeing this happening in Israeli society where they're become so hardened. And I just want to urge people to- to understand that this narrative, this propaganda that's been fed this anti-Palestinian racism, that Palestinians do not want peace, that Palestinians only understand the language of violence and force, that is incorrect.

MARGARET BRENNAN: To see Hamas as representing Palestinian people, you're saying, is wrong?

QUEEN RANIA: Absolutely wrong. And also, just to- just to point out that most of the people alive in Gaza today were not alive when Hamas was elected. They were either child- they were not born, or they were children at the time. So absolutely, Hamas does not represent the majority of- of Palestinians. And if Palestinians hate Israelis, it is not because of their religion, or their identity, it's because of the fact that they've only interacted with them as enforcers of a military state. They have only known them to their check- checkpoints and bullets and guns. It's not something that's inherently in them against Jewish people. In fact, I always try to remind people that you know, we have coexisted, Christians, Muslims and Jewish people, for the longest time. That's where the three monotheistic religions were born. And prior to the birth of Zionism, the Muslim majority in Palestine, lived in complete friendship and tolerance with the- with the Jewish minority, there was never an issue of antisemitism there.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, you know, historians will argue, antisemitism has been present throughout history, right. And it is hard for people to hear some of what you're saying and not react in that way, where they hear a characterization of criticism of the Israeli government or the Israeli military, and see where you're separating from Jewish people. A lot of people don't hear a difference.

QUEEN RANIA: Antisemitism is absolutely present. And it's- and it's been on the rise, it's been on the surge. And it is the worst kind of bigotry, it is pure hatred. And I always say that Muslims have to be- have to be at the forefront of fighting antisemitism, because Islamophobia is the other side of the same disease, and it's also on the rise. Judaism is a religion of peace. It is the first of the three monotheistic religions. And as Muslims, you know, we- it was- it was Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. We all believe in the same God. And the issue is when you try to conflate anti-Israeli policy with antisemitism, right. Antisemitism is when you persecute somebody, or you discriminate against somebody based on their Jewish identity. Israel is a state. It has political policy, political parties. So you can criticize the State of Israel but that's not necessarily antisemitism. So when people stand up and speak against the war in Gaza, when they're talking about the- speak against the collective punishment, when you deprive people of food as a weapon of war, when- when entire populations displaced, when there's indiscriminate bombing. That is not antisemitism, that is speaking against Israeli policy. And I think it would be wrong to hold the Jewish community responsible for the actions of the, or the policies of, Israel. And many Jewish people absolutely reject this- this conflation. They didn't they- they- they want to protect their Jewish identity and say that they- the Jewish faith has existed 3,000 years before the birth of the State of Israel. So it- it predates the State of Israel and- and it's [inaudible] to conflate the religious aspect with the politics. I don't think it serves anybody and it certainly doesn't bring us closer to peace.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, let me ask you about that because, you know, there are protests at colleges across the United States, here in New York, other cities, in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. But there is also this perception among some students that they are unsafe, because they are, for example, Jewish students. What do you think of the protests and are you surprised to see young Americans protesting like this?

QUEEN RANIA: First of all, I think it's important to point out that law and order are paramount for everybody. And so, it- it is important for students to abide by the rules of the campus, to not disrupt classes, to not disrupt other students exper- college experience. At the same time, as I said, there is a rise in antisemitism, and it's wrong for any student to have to feel unsafe on campus. That being said, we need to- emotions are running high and I think people are- are losing sight of what these- these students are protesting. For them, the issue of Gaza and the Palestinian conflict is more about social justice. They are standing up for human rights, for international law, for the principles that underpin international law. They're standing up for the future that they're going to inherit. So they're asking their universities to divest from an illegal occupation. But at the same time, may- maybe more importantly, they are suggesting that there is more to the story than we have been told. That there is that the narrative that we have been fed that- that- that Israel is the victim and the Palestinians are- are violent people who deserve what's happening to them. That- that is not the entire story.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Why do you think that's happening on college campuses? Why do you think young people feel this way?

QUEEN RANIA: Well, actually, it's a lot of people feel this way. But college campuses have always been the site of- of activism. You know, young students are learning about these issues at that age. You want to stand up, you're more idealistic, you want to stand up for values you believe in. You're- you're outraged when- when things are not going right, when- when- when what you're taught, and what you believe should be the right thing isn't happening. And so they're expressing their views. But I think to- to paint all these students and all these protests in a- in a broad paintbrush and to vilify them as being, you know, pro-Hamas or pro-terrorism or antisemitic, I think that's inaccurate. And I think it's- it's somewhat patronizing to some of these students, because a lot of people were saying, well, you know, "They don't even know what they're protesting, they're just protesting for the sake of it." A lot of them are well read, thoughtful young individuals who know exactly what they're protesting. They are protesting for justice. And--

MARGARET BRENNAN: --Do you think it will change US foreign policy?

QUEEN RANIA: Well, I- I- I don't- I don't know if it will change US foreign policy. It's certainly a grassroots movement and an ex- expression of a generation that feel that there is a contradiction between the values and principles that they were taught that this country stands for and what's actually happening on the ground. And, again, let's not forget that there are a substantial number of Jewish students who are involved in these protests. And the vast majority of these protests want to be peaceful, they don't want to be destructive. And I think the most important thing is to have genuine engagement with- with- with the students, to have an open debate to hear from them and- and explain to them. I mean, a lot of times they're saying, "Well, these kids, you need education." I think we need to go into this knowing that we need education as well. So it's a give and take. And we saw an example in Brown University, where that kind of healthy debate ended up, you know, sort of calming things down and where it was a win-win situation. So the more you use force, I think the more that inflames the situation.

MARGARET BRENNAN: How are young people in Jordan thinking about this right now? I mean, what is the sentiment in terms of the American unconditional support for the government of Israel?

QUEEN RANIA: I have to say, in one word, there's outrage, you know. There is outrage, because, you know, for most young people, even those who maybe were against American foreign policy, or whatever disagreed with it, we always looked up to the US, you know, as a country of a democratic country, with democratic values, with application of law with freedom of speech, with, you know, human rights, etc. And, as I said, you know, the young people are now feeling extremely disillusioned, how can this be happening, while the US is allowing it to happen, while the rest of the world is- is allowing it to happen? Blatant disregard for international law, and- and- and just, you know, when the US- when- when Israel says, you know, that we are not targeting civilians and then you look at the reality on the ground that we're seeing with our own two eyes, and we're seeing and by the admission of some Israeli intelligence sources, they were saying that they often attacked their targets at night in their homes, with their families, which has led to the deaths of thousands of women and children. We have seen wild- widely spread reports about Israel using AI systems to generate the largest number of targets, prioritizing quantity over quality. And so- the- really by taking humanity out of the equation, in their calculus, it's okay to flatten the entire neighborhood or kill the entire family to get one target. And so the whole principle of proportionality and distinction between- between civilians and combatants has been abandoned in this war. And, you know, when- when Israelis are telling us, you know, "They're dying because Hamas is using them as human shields." Well, you know, you have a place like- like Gaza, which is one of the most densely populated places in the world, being hit by an unprecedented number of dumb bombs, which are untargeted, unguided bombs, or massive bombs, which are the 2000-pound bombs. To put in perspective, in fighting ISIS, the US only used one such bomb, because it's known that it has a very high risk of killing civilians. So you hit the most densely populated place on earth with an unprecedented number of unguided bombs, and mass of bombs, and we are supposed to believe that Israel is trying to avoid killing civilians? It just doesn't- it doesn't add up.

MARGARET BRENNAN: You've had protests in Jordan--

QUEEN RANIA: --Yes.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Outside embassies and alike. Amnesty International says Jordanian security arrested at least 1,500 people for protesting. Why? Are you concerned there is a threat to the stability of Jordan?

QUEEN RANIA: Not at all. I- we know, since the beginning of this war, we've had thousands of people go out, I think we've had about 1700 demonstrations of people going out, advocating, and- and standing out in solidarity with the Palestinian people. And you know, at the end of the day, Jordan- and most of these demonstrations have been friction-free with the police. And, but- the end- end of the day, Jordan is a country of law and order. So as long as people abide- are abiding by the law, as I said, with the demonstrations here, then they are free to protest. It's only when we see vandalism or attacks on public and private property, that the security forces obviously have responsibility to come in, to step in. But, again, Jordan has been probably at the forefront of countries that have stood up and spoken openly about, in defense of, what's happening, and, you know, in defense of Palestinians, and that's not just the leadership, but that's also the people themselves, the people, the government and the leadership. So we're- we're on the same page on this. 

MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, the Director of National Intelligence in this country, Avril Haines, testified, saying there will be a generational impact from the war in Gaza. And that was also a gesture to terror recruitment. How concerned are you that that is what may happen to some of these young people, who you say are just inundated with images of what's happening?

QUEEN RANIA: You know, like I said, it's- it's not just the people who are on the extreme that- that are being enraged by this. It's people who are in the middle as well, people who are westernized, people who studied here, people who- who are suddenly just looking at the world and saying, you know, they're so the solution. They're saying, you know, clearly there are different standards, that humanitarian law is applied selectively, and that our lives don't matter. And that it's okay for- for, you know, almost 15,000 children to be killed, 19,000 to be orphaned. It's okay for- for, you know, the infrastructure to be obliterated. It's okay to use- to stop the delivery of aid and food to an entire population. That is collective punishment. It's a war crime, and it's happening. And so, the young people are saying, you know, I guess the West doesn't like us. So- so, in my opinion, this is probably one of the most radical, large- sorry, largest recruitment event that we've seen in recent history. Because it's turned a lot of people away. And it's making people feel like there's just no justice in this world. And that is a very dangerous place to be.

MARGARET BRENNAN: That is- what you are describing is what Defense Secretary Austin warned Israel about, that you could have a tactical win and a strategic loss in the long term. That's what I hear you saying, that this will lead to more terror recruitment?

QUEEN RANIA: Absolutely. And I- again, I do not need to ask ourselves this- the simple question, is this war making Israel safer? Is it making our world safer? You know, I would argue, after 35,000 people dead, after the obliteration of the civilian infrastructure, in- in Gaza, after the violations of so much, after the rhetoric that we're hearing, you know, from Israeli officials, calling Palestinians human animals, or saying, when the Prime Minister says that Palestinians are children of darkness, that they only understand the rules of the jungle, you know? When officials say we need to find a more effective way than death to inflict suffering on Palestinians. How is that making Israel safer? I mean, you know, how? This is- we need to create- peace is not about politics only, it's about people. It's about culture, it's about state of mind. It's about choosing tolerance over suspicion, it's about choosing compromise and reconciliation over the false promise of victory. And the politics inside of Israel has shifted so far to the right that it's become acceptable. Israelis are surprised when the word genocide is used, because they cannot see Palestinians as anything but as a security threat, that they deserve what's happening to them.You know, in a poll--

MARGARET BRENNAN: They're traumatized after October 7, many Israelis.

QUEEN RANIA: Absolutely traumatized, I understand that. And I understand that, because of my own background, that I would identify with the Palestinian side more, and I- because of that, I challenge myself every single day to put myself in the shoes of an Israeli mother, who is- who has a child that's been taken as hostage, or- or any young Israeli who has been taught and who's heard of the horrible persecution that the Jewish people had to endure in Europe. And- and I tried to empathize and see where they're coming from. And absolutely, you know, we need the hostages to go home as soon as possible. And we need the war to end as soon as possible so that Palestinians can go back to their homes, if they have homes left. So, I understand that- that what happened on October 7 was traumatic and devastating for Israeli society. But the reaction to it has not helped the situation. You cannot just rely on your- this visceral reaction of retribution and revenge. Because then you're just- you know, you're just going into the cycle of violence and just digging deeper in it, and it's just going to keep getting worse. The- Israel could have retaliated through surgical strikes against Hamas. But that's not what we're seeing today. You know, we are seeing a war that is not fought in a defensive way.

MARGARET BRENNAN: When you were at the White House in February, President Biden mentioned that your husband, King Abdullah, and two of your children had participated in airdrops in Gaza. But you've referred to the airdrops as "just drops in an ocean". What is needed at this point to reverse the famine in North Gaza?

QUEEN RANIA: Right, so- so you know, those airdrops were just acts of desperation. And my husband said from day one, they are inefficient, they're costly, and they do not begin to meet the needs of the people of Gaza. But in our calculus, it was anything is better than nothing, right? And, you know, the hunger figures in the Gaza are unprecedented. Every single person in Gaza is hungry, a quarter of the population is starving. And when we saw that devastating attack on the World Central Kitchens, there was a lot of pressure on Israel to allow more food and aid into Gaza. There's been a slight uptick. But really, at the end of the day, there's- they're not even close to meeting the needs of--

MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, who could distribute that? If- if the war ended, even, would Jordan be able to come in and help with reconstruction?

QUEEN RANIA: So this is- so- so- so this is the thing, you know, I think what that strike did, for example, was stop aid, make lots of agencies suspend their operations because they didn't feel safe working in Gaza. And this after Israel has- has- has bombed flower fields, agricultural land, fishing boats, basically decimating Gaza's ability to feed itself, not just today, but for years to come. And so what is required is a permanent ceasefire that allows the hostages to go back home and people to go back to their homes. We need to put pressure on Israel to open all access points. And the land access is the most efficient way to deliver aid at- at scale. We just streamline the vetting process which now is so complicated and arbitrary. And- and you know, they could find one thing in a truck that they're- don't approve, and the whole truck has to go back. And- and the last thing is that we need to allow aid workers safe access within Gaza, so that they can actually deliver the aid to the people that need it. But if we do not flood Gaza with aid soon then we are going to be facing a mass famine. And I don't know how the world just is happy doing that. It's just- it's- it's a major stain on our global consciousness to see this happening in slow motion, and not do something about it.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Jordan has had a peace treaty with Israel since 1994. If Israel goes into southern Gaza into Rafa, as the Prime Minister says he intends to do, will peace hold?

QUEEN RANIA: As you said, we've had peace with Israel since '94. And Jordan always honors the commitments that it signs up to in peace agreements. We will always be on the side of peace and diplomacy. But- but diplomacy requires trust, and a lot of that trust has been eroded over the years because of violations. against people in Gaza and the West Bank. And- and because of the undermining of the Jordanian custodianship of the Christian and Muslim sites in Jerusalem, which are part of this agreement—

MARGARET BRENNAN: What do you mean by that? What's happened?

QUEEN RANIA: Well, time and again, you know, we have violations against Christian sites and Muslim sites by Israeli troops who are not allowing people to go in, who are arresting people, who are not allowing people to pray. We're seeing that happening all the time. And so this is constantly undermining the Hashemite role and custodianship of these holy sites. And so- so there is an issue with that. And with it comes- when when it comes to Rafah, the world you know, there are ongoing daily strikes on Rafah as we speak. But if there was to be a full scale invasion, then you know, the world has warned that there will be a blood- bloodbath for the simple reason that half the population of Gaza is now sheltering in Rafah, we're talking about 50,000 people per square mile. And since the beginning of this war, there was- they were pushed systematically, further and further south. Rafah is the end of the line, there's nowhere else for them to go, there's only a six square mile piece of land that could- could be considered safe zone. So they have nowhere to go. And I don't know how Israel could go in surgically without causing a massive number of civilian deaths. And so I think the world really needs to compel Israel not to do it.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Your Majesty, thank you for your time. I'm being told we are out of time. 

QUEEN RANIA: Thank you. 

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Politics live: PM admits local election results point to 'hung parliament'; nominations for SNP leader close at noon

Rishi Sunak has admitted the Tories may not win the general election after grim defeats in the local polls. Listen to this week's Politics at Jack and Sam's as you scroll.

Monday 6 May 2024 06:49, UK

• Sunak admits Tories may not win general election
• Exclusive:   UK 'considered using Iraq to process asylum seekers in Rwanda-type deal'
• Swinney set to become next SNP leader as nominations close today
• Listen to this week's Politics at Jack and Sam's above and tap here to follow the podcast. 
• Vote 2024:   Council results in full  |  Mayoral results in full
• Live reporting by   Faith Ridler

By Serena Barker-Singh , political correspondent

• The government at one point considered using Iraq to process asylum seekers - like the Rwanda scheme - according to documents seen by Sky News.

This could have seen people sent from the UK to a country the government advises against all travel to.

The two countries already have a returns agreement - but only for people who are from Iraq.

According to leaked correspondence between high-ranking officials, the Iraqi returns commitments were made with a "request for discretion" and no publicity.

The country was willing to move forward but did not want a formal or public agreement.

The current travel advice to Iraq on the Foreign Office website simply advises against "all travel to parts of Iraq". However, according to the document, negotiations were fairly advanced and described in one table as "good recent progress with Iraq".

You can read more in the link below:

John Swinney appears set to become Scotland's next first minister after Graeme McCormick pulled out of the race to become SNP leader.

Mr McCormick's decision not to pursue a leadership bid leaves Mr Swinney as the only official candidate after Humza Yousaf announced he is stepping down.

Mr Yousaf said he was resigning last week after he decided to end the power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Green Party.

Reports of a contest began early on Sunday when Mr McCormick said he had secured the 100 nominations from 20 branches needed to run against Mr Swinney.

But in a statement shared with Sky News, the party activist said he had had a "lengthy and fruitful conversation" with Mr Swinney, adding he had "met the threshold set by the party rules".

You can read more below:

Rishi Sunak has admitted the Tories may not win the general election after grim defeats in the local polls.

The prime minister suggested the UK was on course for a hung parliament and claimed voters would not want to see Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer "propped up in Downing Street" by the SNP or smaller parties.

In an interview with The Times, Mr Sunak pointed to Sky News analysis of the local election results by election expert Professor Michael Thrasher which suggested Labour would be the largest party in a hung parliament.

"These results suggest we are heading for a hung parliament with Labour as the largest party," Mr Sunak told the paper.

You can read more from Sky News below:

Good morning!

Welcome back to the Politics Hub and for the start of another week in Westminster, now the dust has settled over the results of the local elections.

That's not to say there isn't plenty going on today:

• Fallout will likely continue in the wake of the local elections, which led Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to admit the Conservatives might not win a majority at the next general election;
• Meanwhile, Mr Sunak's internal critics have abandoned their attempt to unseat him because they have run out of time and do not believe Penny Mordaunt would do what is necessary to save the party;
• We will likely hear from the prime minister, who is visiting a non-profit in north London, later on Monday;
• Nominations to become the next leader of the Scottish National Party close at noon. Currently, John Swinney is the only candidate after Kate Forbes opted not to run;

We'll be discussing all of this and more with:

• Mental health minister Maria Caulfield at 7.20am;
• Labour chair Anneliese Dodds at 8.15am.

Follow along for all the latest news and analysis throughout today.

We're pausing our live coverage for today - thanks for joining us and be sure to check back in tomorrow.

Before you go check out some of today's stories below:

Suella Braverman wrote in the Daily Telegraph about her party that "the hole to dig us out is the PM’s, and it’s time for him to start shovelling".

She also called for the party to take a stance further to the right of where it is now.

Tobias Ellwood - a Tory MP who is much more on the One Nation side of the party - has now called for her to get on board with the PM and help his election efforts.

Speaking to Sky News, Mr Ellwood says: "Why not be part of the efforts Suella Braverman? 

"Why not be part of the team with the prime minister that grabs the shovels as well, rather than simply commentating from the sidelines.

"Let's be bit more JFK about this - you know, every one of us, as the election approaches, especially parliamentarians, should be asking ourselves, do our actions, do our comments, help demonstrate unity or distract from that core message? 

"Did they help win back the middle ground that's vital for electoral success - or do they push to the extreme? 

"Do they help retain Conservative seats, or do they help lose them? 

"That's the big test that we now face with just months away from the next general election."

By Jennifer Scott , political reporter

SNP leadership hopeful John Swinney has warned rivals against entering the contest, saying it would "delay the ability for the [party] to start its rebuilding".

The former deputy leader is currently the only candidate in the running to replace Humza Yousaf, who announced last week he would be stepping down as first minister after his decision to end a power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Green Party led to the collapse of his premiership.

But rumours have surfaced today that SNP activist Graeme McCormick has gathered enough support to launch his own bid for the top job, and if he submits an application before Monday's midday deadline, the party would begin a three-week leadership contest.

Speaking to Sky News' Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips, Mr Swinney accepted there was a "democratic process" for any candidate with 100 signatures from 20 local SNP organisations to enter the race.

However, in what appeared to be a warning to any potential rival, he added: "My bid to become SNP leader has received very, very comprehensive support within the SNP. I have sent out a message which is about unifying the SNP to strengthen our party and win Scottish independence.

"I think that is necessary as the SNP is not as cohesive today as the party needs to be, and my campaign has attracted very wide support."

Read the full story here: 

George Galloway, the leader of the Workers Party of Britain and Rochdale MP, ended an interview with LBC this morning when asked about comments he previously made about gay relationships.

Speaking to Novara Media previously, Mr Galloway said: "I don't want my children prematurely sexualised at all, I don't want them taught that some things are normal when their parents don't believe that they're normal.

"Now there's lots of things not normal, doesn't mean you have to hate something that isn't normal. But if my children are taught that there's – whatever the current vogue number is – 76 or 97 or whatever the number of purported genders that exist, I don't want my children taught that."

He added that he did not want children to be taught "that gay relationships are exactly the same and as normal as a mum, a dad and kids".

"I want my children to be taught that the normal thing in Britain, in society across the world, is a mother, a father and a family.

"I want them to be taught that there are gay people in the world and that they must be treated with respect and affection, as I treat my own gay friends and colleagues with respect and affection but I don't want my children to be taught that these things are equal because I don't believe them to be equal."

Asked about the comments by LBC, Mr Galloway claimed the station was "ambushing" him - and that they had shown a "clip of a clip" that was "edited".

On its website, LBC said: "The clip played was shortened, though a longer clip was then played."

 Exclusive by Mark Kleinman , City editor

The world's second-largest steel company has warned the government that a planning verdict due this week could lead to a key division quitting the UK.

Sky News has seen a letter sent by ArcelorMittal to Michael Gove, the levelling-up secretary, in which it says that a decision to allow the closure and redevelopment of part of Chatham Docks would have "seismic adverse consequences… [for] the British economy and multiple strategic industries".

In the letter from Matthew Brooks, who runs ArcelorMittal's construction solutions arm in the UK, the company urges Mr Gove to issue an urgent order to allow fuller government scrutiny of the redevelopment proposals ahead of Wednesday's decision by Medway Council.

"This is highly time-sensitive - calling in the application after next Wednesday will not be possible," Mr Brooks wrote.

He warned that if the proposals were approved, ArcelorMittal would "regrettably be left with no alternative but to leave Chatham Docks and, more than likely, cease operations in Britain, given the lack of suitable alternative sites".

Read more below:

Yolande Makolo, the spokesperson for the Rwandan government, was speaking to the BBC this morning.

She was asked if the central African nation was able to take the tens of thousands of people the UK government is aiming to send abroad.

Ms Makolo said: "We will be able to welcome the migrants that the UK sends over the lifetime of this partnership.

"What I cannot tell you is how many thousands we are taking in the first year or the second year. This will depend on very many factors that are being worked out right now."

But she rubbished reports Rwanda was only able to take 200 people.

Responding to Ms Makolo's comments, Labour's shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said: "This interview shows that more people have arrived in the last week than are likely to be sent to Rwanda over the next few years, and the Conservatives are just trying to con people with their failing plans. 

"Today we heard a stark admission that Rwanda can only take a tiny proportion of people who are arriving in the UK, yet the government is spending half a billion pounds of taxpayers' money on this scheme.

"At the same time the government is letting the backlog go back up and failing to process removals to safe home countries so the costs to the taxpayer will go up even further."

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