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Daily Record
Daily Record
World
Daniel Morrow & Neil Shaw

The Queen's WW3 speech that's prepared for event of potential nuclear war

Buckingham Palace aides prepared a speech for the Queen in case of a nuclear war amid a growing threat from Russia during the 1980s.

The speech was prepared as part of the so-called Exercise Able Archer in 1983, which was a war game that pitted Russia and the Warsaw Pact against the UK and Nato, Wales Online reports.

It was prepared in a year that then US President Ronald Reagan antagonised Russia by referring to them as “The Evil Empire”.

In a fictional scenario, the Queen would have delivered the speech after Russia launched chemical weapons, with Nato responding with a nuclear strike.

Details of the Queen’s script emerged in 1983 under the 30 Year Rule.

The speech, which would have been delivered in March of that year, would see the monarch make reference to the previous Christmas.

It also mentions her husband Prince Philip and her son Prince Andrew, which was in the Royal Navy at tat time.

The address would be a signal of preparation for the UK in the scenario of a possible World War III.

The speech was prepared amid a growing possibility of World War III (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

It reads: “The horrors of war could not have seemed more remote as my family and I shared our Christmas joy with the growing family of the Commonwealth.

"Now, this madness of war is once more spreading through the world and our brave country must again prepare itself to survive against great odds.

"I have never forgotten the sorrow and the pride I felt as my sister and I huddled around the nursery wireless set listening to my father's [George VI's] inspiring words on that fateful day in 1939 [at the start of the World War II].

"Not for a single moment did I imagine that this solemn and awful duty would one day fall to me.

"But whatever terrors lie in wait for us all, the qualities that have helped to keep our freedom intact twice already during this sad century will once more be our strength.

"My husband and I share with families up and down the land the fear we feel for sons and daughters, husbands and brothers who have left our side to serve their country.

"My beloved son Andrew is at this moment in action with his unit and we pray continually for his safety and for the safety of all servicemen and women at home and overseas.

"It is this close bond of family life that must be our greatest defence against the unknown.

"If families remain united and resolute, giving shelter to those living alone and unprotected, our country's will to survive cannot be broken.

"As we strive together to fight off the new evil, let us pray for our country and men of goodwill wherever they may be. God Bless you all.”

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