The Crown: Princess Elizabeth's 21st Birthday Speech (1947) | British Pathé
On her 21st Birthday (April 21, 1947), Princess Elizabeth (soon to be Queen Elizabeth II) broadcasts a speech on the radio from Cape Town, South Africa dedicating her life to the service of the Commonwealth.
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(FILM ID:2150.01)
Cape Town, South Africa.
Note - date in the old record 22/04/1947.
(F.G. Comb. Print) (Re-recorded Sound Track in UN 1667 Tin 2.)
I welcome the opportunity to speak to all the people of the British Commonwealth of Nations wherever they live, whatever race they come from, and whatever language they speak. Let me begin by thanking all the thousands of kind people who have sent me messages of good will. This is a happy day to me, but it is also one that brings serious thought, thoughts of life looming ahead, with all its challenges, and with all its opportunity. At such a time, it is a great help to know that there are multitudes of friends all round the world who are thinking of me and who wish me well. I am grateful and I am deeply moved. As I speak today from Cape Town, I am 6,000 miles from the country where I was born, but I am certainly not 6,000 miles from home. Everywhere I have travelled in these lovely lands of South Africa and Rhodesia, my parents, my sister and I, have been taken to the hearts of their people and made to feel that we are just as much at home here as if we have lived with them all our lives. That is a great privilege belonging to our place in the world wide Commonwealth, that there are homes ready to welcome us in every continent of the earth. Before I am much older I hope I shall come to know many of them. Although there is none of my father's subjects from the oldest to the youngest whom I do not wish to greet, I am thinking especially today of all the young men and women who were born about the same time as myself, and have grown up like me in terrible and glorious years of the Second World War. Will you, the youth of the British family of nations, let me speak on my birthday as your representative. Now that we are coming to manhood and womanhood it is surely a great joy to us to think that we shall be able to take some of the burdens off the shoulders of our elders who have fought and worked and suffered to protect our childhood. We must not be daunted by the anxieties and hardships that the war has left behind in every nation of our Commonwealth. We know that these things are the price that we cheerfully undertook to pay for the high honour of standing alone seven years ago, in defence of the liberty of the world. Let us say with Rupert Brook: "Now God be thanked who has matched us with his hour". I am sure that you will see our difficulties in the light that I see them, as the great opportunity for you and me. Most of you have read in the history book the proud saying of William Pitt, that England has saved herself by her exertions and would save Europe by her example, but in our time we may say that the British Empire has saved the world fist and has now to save itself after the battle is won. I think that is even a fine thing than was done in the days of Pitt, and it is for us who have grown up in these years of danger and glory to see that it is accomplished in the long years of peace that we all hope, stretch ahead. If we all go forward together with an unwavering faith, a high courage and a quiet heart, we shall be able to make of this old Commonwealth, that we all love so dearly, an even grander thing, more free, more prosperous, more happy and a more powerful influence and good in the world, than it has been in the greatest days of our forefathers. To accomplish that, we must give nothing less than the whole of ourselves, that is the motto which has been born by many of my ancestors, a noble motto, "I Serve". Those words were an inspiration to many bygone heirs to the throne when they made their knightly dedication when they came to manhood. I cannot quite do as they did but through the invention of science, I can do what was not possible by any of them. I can make my solemn act of dedication with the whole Empire with me, I should like to make that dedication now, it is very simple: I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and to the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong, but I shall not have strength to carry out this resolution alone, unless you join in it with me, which I now invite you to do. I know that your support will be unfailingly given. God help me to make good my vow, and God bless all of you who are willing to share with me."
Repetition from "through the invention to science...unfailingly given."
Пікірлер: 569
How many people in today's world would so honor a vow they had made at the age of 21. She was a remarkable woman.
@kevinprior3549
Жыл бұрын
Was she the Princess of Wales back then?
@hanzicn4258
Жыл бұрын
@@kevinprior3549 no She is Duchess of Edinburgh
@surely2312
Жыл бұрын
I would.
@reaceness
Жыл бұрын
This was before she presided over the murder of more than 150,000 people in Kenya, of course. She didn't serve those people very well... Sorry, but, facts are facts.
@annytrstrup4224
Жыл бұрын
Remarkable yes and so beautiful 🌹
She has kept this vow for over 72 years. If duty were a person, it would be Her Majesty.
@helinbasakyldz7718
3 жыл бұрын
Great comment! God Save Our Queen. ❤️
@GNU_Linux_for_good
Жыл бұрын
@Ben Marleor I second that. Her sense of duty was paramount - unseen before.
@smhaceofspades2813
Жыл бұрын
No TRUER WORDS about HER, REST EASY YOUR MAJESTY FOR you FULFILLED YOUR DUTY many times OVER...GOD save the 👑
@ashleykane4951
Жыл бұрын
I feel she went above and beyond, Keep all of Her promises and than some!! We will never have anyone like her,she stuck to her Morals and beliefs! Thank you Mama for being such a great example to all! No one will ever compare to her!! RIP your Majesty, you deserve the Wings you Fly away with! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️😢😢😢😢
"I Serve." Our dear Queen did that in spades, with dignity and grace. An inspiration to us all, through good times and bad. Her Majesty will be sorely missed by millions around the World.
@taylorchandler7058
Жыл бұрын
Hear hear!
@AK-qn9gf
Жыл бұрын
What did she actually do?
@perrins57
Жыл бұрын
@@AK-qn9gf 2 days before she died - looking frail and very thin - for she was no longer eating - she swore in her 15th Prime Minister. Most people struggle to get up for work when young, let alone at 96 when at deaths door! Before that she opened the Thames Hospice - again with mobility issues, but look at the faces of the patients she met - they were given a day they will never forget, a genuine smile, do you have that effect on people when you do your job? In 70 years of service there was not one moral scandal, no maid or private secretary with a bad word to say about her, can this be said of any politician or President who did the same job in other countries? People said time and again that when they met the Queen they felt like they were the only person in the room with her because she gave them her full attention - people with huge ego's can't do this! The Monarchy is a strange thing, but Elizabeth II was an exceptional head of state and a rare person of service, moral virtue and consistent behaviour.
@jaspreetthind515
11 ай бұрын
Thank you
"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."
@jaspreetthind515
11 ай бұрын
Thank you
@worldinsights930
10 ай бұрын
A very progressive speech for the time
The queen kept her promise at 94 know still going strong
@GertKauni5
3 жыл бұрын
Ofc shes a reptilian they always live long
@paolla6661
3 жыл бұрын
@@GertKauni5 are you stupid and ignorant like that or are you just imitating one really well?
@onekie5787
2 жыл бұрын
@@paolla6661 r/whooosh
@sokwaiwong541
2 жыл бұрын
Yes she did
@gerardcollins80
Жыл бұрын
96 now.
Never in British history has a monarch made a promise so well kept. Rest in peace Queen Elizabeth II
@jaspreetthind515
11 ай бұрын
Thank you
@who_m1
7 ай бұрын
There are. Queen Victoria, King George III, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth I are ones. They were great monarchs
Dear Queen, You were a great example of strength, both during good times and rather difficult ones. If there was anyone from whom we could learn self-discipline and courage at all times then it was you. May your soul rest in peace. Amen. 🙏
@jonahwhale9047
Жыл бұрын
She's not reading this. You do realise that? KZread hasn't got a function to pass messages on to the afterlife yet.
@erozion9990
Жыл бұрын
@@jonahwhale9047 💀💀💀 bro ure idiot
@SirPigingstin
Жыл бұрын
@@erozion9990 🤣
@0123456787175
Жыл бұрын
@@jonahwhale9047 How are you sure she isn’t reading it? Have you ever been where she now is and you know their capabilities there?
@jonahwhale9047
Жыл бұрын
@@0123456787175 Do they have IP routing in the Afterlife? What's her bandwidth?
Rest in peace Queen Elizabeth. You were a stunning young woman who was the definition of class, grace and dignity, and you remained such!! The world is at a loss for your passing.
It was so great to see the return of Claire Foy to The Crown to do this speech for season 4. ❤️
@jackspaniels
3 жыл бұрын
Was it not shown in a previous season?
@erinjohnson1124
3 жыл бұрын
@@jackspaniels no, because Season 1 began straight away with her wedding day. She returned for season 4 specifically for this scene.
@camedbeans
3 жыл бұрын
Yes! She was outstanding as young Queen Elizabeth II
@lucasmendonca7922
3 жыл бұрын
Me too
@torresjosue98
3 жыл бұрын
Yesss i was smiling so hard
She vowed to serve, and serve she did. A remarkable woman through and through, destined for greatness from birth. Rest in peace Ma'am, and thank you for everything. Elizabeth the Great. 1926 - 2022
Wow that was her 21st birthday and today she just turned 95
To think that the maturity level of a 21yr old in 1947 vs 2022... is such a MASSIVE difference. She was a jewel.
@littleloner1159
Жыл бұрын
To think you compare a heavily rehearsed and prepared speech of someone from a royal household with an average 21 year old today... Yes it is a massive difference how tf does that suprise you?
@aimforlifenow
4 ай бұрын
@@littleloner1159 Not really, there was a massive difference in standards back then.
A true leader. Dedicated her life to service. Rest In Peace Queen Elizabeth II
Rest in peace Queen Elizabeth II. She said she would serve her country and people until the very end and that is exactly what she did.
When she promised a life of service', I think she really meant it. And the years have proved it so. What a remarkable person. Of course, it is pretty well-paid service, but I will not begrudge her that.
@cultofmalgus1310
3 жыл бұрын
what happened to the rest of the family? Talk about dropping the ball! oof!
@ce1834
3 жыл бұрын
@@ADDrecords but you still clicked on this video and commented this 😂
@gungyangsena
2 жыл бұрын
She's the landlord, yet she takes the service.
@hermanjacobs4425
2 жыл бұрын
Undertaking the sovereign duty, as what the coronation oath suggests, is the inviolable promise that the royal family upholds with all its honour.
@lw3646
7 ай бұрын
Well said.
What a lovely young lady she was then. She spoke the most beautiful English imagineable. She has become a wonderful and wise person who has dedicated her life to duty. I just love these old British Pathe documentaries.
@alimush4540
2 жыл бұрын
Good and understandable English
@SK_Tyrxlibet_28
2 жыл бұрын
Agree 😍🥰😗😙😘😚😋😝😛
@justkidding4556
Жыл бұрын
Which is known as “Posh English” today, where only a fraction of British people, especially the upper class, speak.
@artokautiainen
Жыл бұрын
She use whole her life to serve people.🇫🇮❤🇬🇧
@blackwiskers3192
Жыл бұрын
A lovely lady who killed children and stole ppls places
I love the authenticity of this footage! Please keep it!
@mylordslords6134
3 жыл бұрын
1992...th Happy Brithday Madame Ibu @21May2021 @RMSQUEENELLIZZABETH 2 @RMSQUEENELLIZZABETH 2 @QueenEllizzabeth...@HMQUEENELLIZZABETH@RMSQUEENELLIZZABET 2 happy brithday marry queen ellizzabeth 21th may ....😇🤩🥳🥳😍🥰😘😘🥰😘🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴
@edition1805
2 жыл бұрын
That's when there did use fillters lol
Her life was long. She did serve us. Thank you, Ma'am.
Dear Queen Elizabeth, You kept this promise for over 72 years! You served in the 2nd world war, you will forever be beloved and our queen, you have passed into heaven where you should stand next to god, you showed respect and strength! Rest In Peace beautiful, 🙏🏻
Today the world lost one of the great ones. She indeed dedicated her life in service to her country. With thanks for her example, and sending comfort to those who loved her most in life.
Her promise was well kept. Rest in peace Your Majesty. You have been an inspiration to all with your patience, wisdom and knowlege.
Always sounded so firm yet elegant
A great woman. God bless our Queen.
@benbim540
3 жыл бұрын
God bless her gracious majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
As an American, I have great admiration for Queen Elizabeth and the monarchy as one of the great institutions of human civilization. She did her duty, from her first day to her last.
@TheMan40262
Жыл бұрын
@@cain527 imagine shaming somebody for honoring the death of someone who dedicated 70+ years of their life to serving others? And for what? How is the starving of Africa the queens fault? Infact I'd even go as far as to say queen elizabeth helped africans via managing british developed colonies in said continent.
@sakhu8945
Жыл бұрын
The deadliest institution in history you mean.
@davidbedard1884
Жыл бұрын
@@sakhu8945 No, he did not, and you sir have a poor study of history
@Mtl-zf9om
11 ай бұрын
It doesn't matter whether you like her or not. However, I'm pretty sure we can all agree that she left the world in a so much better state than when she made this speech.
We all loved the queen , she will keep in our memories forever, it was an honor to have met the era of this majesty
And she masterfully kept her word.🙌 Respect.😌
@stephaniamarie5153
Жыл бұрын
🤗💙
@joedias7946
Жыл бұрын
We are born in Imperial empire Whether we liked it or not. Many a lands of ours striped of all the wealth and transfered to The mother land. Fighting the Nazis so that you will rule over us and keep us imprisoned. And ask us to join you.
Her life was long and so was her dedication to service as well as her country. Rest in Peace, Queen Elizabeth II. 👑🕊🤍
So elegant. God save our Queen!
God bless our queen . A symbol of stability and continuity and the representation of the best of British
@anenglishmanplusamerican7107
2 жыл бұрын
God save our gracious Queen.
R.I.P. Queen Elizabeth🌹
You really did your job till the end of your life. Rest in peace your majesty.
She has really served her country and devoted her service to her imperial family. R.I.P. Queen Elizabeth ll.
05:48 *"I declare before you all.."* - and _man_ did she deliver!
She fulfilled her duties with grace and dignity. The only one Her Majesty The Queen. There will never be another.
Rest in Peace your Majesty. Thank you for keeping your promise.🌹
‘Never, has a promise been so dutifully kept.’
Rest in Peace Queen Elizabeth II 🙏🏽
She is a wonderful role model for so many qualities, to so many people. Rest in Peace, Dear Lady.
Feeling sad. She just passed at 96! Amazing human being! 😍😍😍😍😍😭
May She Rest In Peace :(
She fulfilled that promise, right up until the end, never faltering or reneging on that promise. RIP
The Queen did not born to be heir to the throne. But she kept her vow that she made at the age of 21 until her death. 75 years! It hasn’t been easy. She really did gave up her life to protect this great imperial family. No one can by as great as she it.
You kept your promise. Rest in Peace Your Majesty. 👏🏻🙏🏻
the late queen had set an example that's very basic yet very important : promise made promise kept
5:30 She kept her word
Thank you for having shown the world what being a Queen in 2000s means. In an historical period such the one we have now, you have been a light and a hope and example of leadership.
@patrickexc2886
Жыл бұрын
Tf are you talking about, her country has become a mess and all she did was read mediocre speeches off of a piece of paper and smile
Paid in full ma'am. May you rest in peace with Philip 🙏
There are not many people who have lived with such sense of duty as our late Majesty had. RIP, you did us proud and will be missed by many. Britain, and the world is not the same without you. Last of your kind, and of an era
Such a beautiful and humble human being she was, and forever will be in our hearts. May you R.I.P Your Magesty, Queen Elizabeth 🙏
A remarkable Lady all her life from a very young age of 21 as seen in her messages May her soul rest in peace
Safe to say her majesty kept her promise. We could all learn a thing or two from The Queen about sticking to your word and devoting your life to something grander than yourself. Fulfillment and prosperity comes from putting others about yourself. May her royal highness rest in eternal peace knowing she fulfilled her vow and encouraged prosperity in her people.
Forever remembered, never forgotten
Beautiful indeed. May her Majesty's soul rest in peace.
The only head of state to experience WWII first hand and lived through the turn of the millennium, Queen Elizabeth II was remarkable
She really meant it and did a pretty remarkable job of keeping her promise.
RIP Queen Elizabeth. Prayers going out to William and Harry as they loved their grandmother very much.
RIP, Queen Elizabeth. You are so beautiful. Love and peace.
Truly wonderful woman, god bless you your majesty on your 90th Birthday!
There will never be another Elizabeth. God Save the King.
Thank you British Pathe for the amazing vast collection of film's . Yesterday 21st April 2020 was ,Her Majesty's 94th Birthday, Happy Birthday to Her ! God Bless Her. Take Care and Stay Safe. British Gibraltar,UK Overseas Territory 🇬🇧.
@mchiriali2862
Жыл бұрын
UK overseas colonies
@IoGrand
Жыл бұрын
Gibraltar español!🇪🇸
She was quite poised, and really beautiful.
RIP Elizabeth II. Proud to say I'm an Elizabethan. You more than kept your word. Thank you. Rest now your Majesty x
"My whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service" :)
RIP her majesty the queen
One of the most important speeches of all time
The Queen was thrown into her position well before she expected to be, and yet she took the reins and remained impartial and loyal, a conservative representative to her country (from all appearances). God Bless.
RIP to the world's queen
She didn't slow down.Even in her bed(before passed),they had to cancel dozen of event Her Magesty will attend ahead,mean she still want to serve.Long live The Queen!Rest in Peace Dear Queen.It's time to rest.1926-2022.
She kept it for 75 years! We will miss you!
@nicolelawless9942
Жыл бұрын
I remember when Woody.EXE made exactly the same promise the night Queen Elizabeth passed away. Little did I know that 8 months later, I’ll become his Queen. “I hope to reign over Wales and most of the UK for a good 80 years with my Queen, she definitely misses Queen Elizabeth II; she, her family and I will continue to mourn our Queen throughout this difficult time” - Woody.EXE Thursday 8th September, 2022
Young people need examples of a life of service, duty and a greater vision. At 21 she was entirely committed to her ideals and carried them in her heart. Not every royal impresses us, but Queen Elizabeth II was (and is) something very special: an example of how to sincerely put your whole heart into your responsibilities.
😍😍😍 she was so fine when she was younger
she was beautiful… everybody gets old😢 RIP queen elizabeth!
She had a regal voice
Sweet lady.
Brings tears to my eyes every time I hear this. God bless you Ma'am and thank you for your service.
LOVE HER VOICE!!!! WATCHING CNN NOW ABOUT HER!!!!
94 and still as strong as she was 73 years ago
@yaliaaaa.
3 жыл бұрын
Still can’t believe this video was 73 years ago.
May she rest as she lived, gracefully.
all of respect from Queen. thank you.
How many people in today 's would would so honor a vow they had made at the age of 21she
I think the father's first words during the reunion were "Well done Lilibet"
@taylorchandler7058
Жыл бұрын
I guarantee he had the biggest smile of all the people closest to her.
My thoughts are with you Queen ❤️👑
The Queen had fulfilled her duty and served her life for the Commonwealth
She has kept her promise!
A wise and beautiful lady with a noble honour and a big heart.
Happy 95th birthday to Her Majesty The Queen, today 21st April, 2021. GOD SAVE THE QUEEN.
Your Majesty, You have kept your promise. May you enjoy eternal rest and happiness with your family by your side, in this world and the next.
Her Majesty more than exceeded her promise and vow. I'm honor and proud to be living during Her Majesty's reign. RIP Ma'am
What a great woman, a national treasure forever 🇬🇧💙
Rest in Peace, Queen Elizabeth II. You will be missed
This makes me so sad 😔 Rest in peace HR Queen Elizabeth 👑
watching the video now knowing that our beloved queen passed away, may she rest in peace 😭 so so sad.
hope shes is happy and well in these times
God save our Queen, you have our loyalty and respect.
Queen Elizabeth made the world a better place and she will be forever missed. Job well done!
In Cape Town, South Africa. Fascinating.
My deepest sympathies to the whole whole nation of UK . The only queen hearts, Her Majesty dedicated her whole life to the people and lived by this vow for over 75 years. A speech by the Queen on her 21st Birthday, 1947 " 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." Her Majesty The Queen❤ 💔💔💔💔😪😪😪😪😪
RIP Queen Elizabeth you are now with your beloved husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Rest in Peace...
5:45 This is what real leadership sounds like. Some of our American politicians could take a lesson from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
@hermanjacobs4425
2 жыл бұрын
The problem is that the United States is a presidential republic, where politicians only hold onto power for several years while defending their powers from other ambitious statesmen. In fact, they could become dictators if they served asIn a nutshell, US is like the UK without the royal family