Special addresses by the monarch of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms (and previously of the British Empire and its Dominions), outside the annual Royal Christmas Message and the Commonwealth Day Message, only take place at times of significant national or royal events.
It was only in the 20th century, with the advent of radio, that the monarch was able to address all their subjects at once. On Christmas Day in 1932, King George V became the first monarch to make a live radio broadcast to the Commonwealth. The tradition of the monarch's Christmas Day broadcast continues to this day. Special addresses by the monarch on days other than Christmas Day, however, are extremely rare and have occurred only at times of significant national or royal events.
List of special addresses
This list does not include Empire Day and Commonwealth Day broadcasts.
George V Date Subject Notes Ref 6 May 1935 Silver Jubilee A speech made by King George V at the end of the celebrations of his Silver Jubilee. He thanked all his peoples on behalf of himself and Queen Mary. It was also the first broadcast by him outside the Royal Christmas Message.
Edward VIII Date Subject Notes Ref 1 March 1936 Accession to the throne Edward VIII's first radio address to the Empire after the death of his father, George V, on 20 January 1936. 26 July 1936 Unveiling of Canadian National Vimy Memorial The unveiling ceremony for the Canadian war memorial was broadcast live to Canada through the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission. The ceremony included a speech from the King in both English and French. 11 December 1936 Abdication crisis The former King made a speech to the Empire from Windsor Castle having abdicated just hours earlier. He was introduced by Sir John Reith as "His Royal Highness Prince Edward".Broadcast after his abdication
George VI Date Subject Notes Ref 12 May 1937 Coronation of George VI and Elizabeth George VI made the speech on the evening of his coronation. 3 September 1939 Outbreak of World War II The King made the speech hours after the United Kingdom declared war on Germany. A dramatisation of the radio broadcast forms the "climax" of the 2010 film The King's Speech. 23 September 1940 First year of World War II The King made the speech just over a year after the outbreak of the war. In the speech, he announced the creation of the George Cross. 6 June 1944 Normandy landings The King addressed the Allies on the evening of the D-Day landings. 8 May 1945 Victory in Europe Day The King's speech to celebrate VE Day after the surrender of Nazi Germany. He also warned that the war with Japan still had to be won. 15 August 1945 Victory over Japan Day and end of World War II The King addressed the Empire at the end of the war.
Elizabeth II