Queen 'waits for the right moment' to make a major coronavirus TV address

Queen ‘waits for the right moment’ to make a major coronavirus TV address to calm Britain’s nerves

By Glen Owen for The Mail on Sunday

Published: 22:02 GMT, 21 March 2020 | Updated: 01:07 GMT, 22 March 2020

The Queen is preparing to make a televised address to calm the nation’s nerves during the ‘difficult times ahead’, Downing Street sources said last night.

Her Majesty, who released a heartfelt statement on Thursday urging Britons to unite during the difficult times ahead, is waiting for the ‘right moment’ to give a full televised address.

With the death toll from Covid-19 expected to rise substantially in the coming weeks, it is understood that as the ‘mother of the nation’ the Queen wants to time her address to make the maximum impact.

Discussions over the address have been held between No10 and Buckingham Palace since last week, when the Queen left London to isolate with Prince Philip at Windsor Castle.

The Queen gives her Christmas Day message from Buckingham Palace in London in 2015

She is expected to communicate with the Prime Minister via video link. A No10 source said: ‘It has been agreed the address will happen at a key moment in the crisis and that it will be a hugely important way to lift the nation’s morale.

‘There is no one more experienced than Her Majesty and she will know exactly the right moment to address the country.

‘Sadly, there are some very difficult times ahead. The country is going to be hurting. The voice of Her Majesty will provide calm reassurance that, ultimately, we will get through this.’

The last time the Queen gave a televised address other than her Christmas message was in 2002, after the Queen Mother died.

DISNEY+ CUTS LAUNCH BANDWIDTH BY 25%

Disney’s new streaming service will launch in the UK with at least 25% less bandwidth.

The Walt Disney Company’s chairman of direct-to-consumer and international Kevin Mayer said the decision was made in response to a request from the European Commission.

Disney+ will be home to films and shows from Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic, as well as Disney, when it launches in the UK on Tuesday.

It comes after Netflix said it would temporarily reduce the quality of videos on its platform to ease pressure on internet service providers during the coronavirus outbreak.

Mr Mayer said: ‘In line with Disney’s longstanding commitment to act responsibly, we are responding to the request of European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton to work together to ensure the smooth functioning of the broadband infrastructure.

‘In anticipation of high consumer demand for Disney+, we are proactively instituting measures to lower our overall bandwidth utilisation by at least 25% in all of the markets launching Disney+ on March 24.

‘In the coming days, we will be monitoring internet congestion and working closely with internet service providers to further reduce bitrates as necessary to ensure they are not overwhelmed by consumer demand.

‘We look forward to the launch of Disney+ and hope it will provide a much-needed respite for families in these challenging and trying times.’

Disney+ will launch in the UK on March 24.

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