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The Queen delivered a touching video message at the COP26 evening reception

Photo credit: Getty
Photo credit: Getty

The Queen delivered a touching address at the COP26 climate summit evening reception last night (1 November) after she was unable to attend in person.

After being formally introduced by the Jamaican Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, the Queen asked world leaders to "achieve true statesmanship" and create a "safer, stabler future" for the planet. She urged them to act "for our children and our children's children" and "rise above the politics of the moment".

Speaking of her late husband, Prince Philip, Her Majesty said: "This is a duty I am especially happy to discharge, as the impact of the environment on human progress was a subject close to the heart of my dear late husband, Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh."

The Queen then quoted one of Prince Philip's speeches made in 1969 before going on to share her delight in her son, Prince Charles, and grandson, Prince William’s, ongoing work.

"It is a source of great pride to me that the leading role my husband played in encouraging people to protect our fragile planet, lives on through the work of our eldest son Charles and his eldest son William. I could not be more proud of them".

The Queen ended by saying: "Of course, the benefits of such actions will not be there to enjoy for all of us here today: none of us will live forever.

"But we are doing this not for ourselves but for our children and our children's children, and those who will follow in their footsteps."

Following a hospital visit last month, Buckingham Palace confirmed in a statement that the Queen has been ordered by doctors to take two weeks rest resulting in her not being able to attend COP26 in-person or the upcoming Festival of Remembrance. She is currently conducting light duties from Windsor Castle.

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