LONDON, (Reuters) – Relations between the Soviet Union and the West had become so tense 30 years ago that British officials drew up a speech for Queen Elizabeth to deliver to the nation in the event of a nuclear war, newly released archives showed yesterday.
In the speech, the monarch was to urge Britons to remain united and resolute in the face of the “madness of war.”
Written by government officials, the hypothetical speech was part of a secret exercise designed to prepare Britain for the threat of a possible World War Three, but was never broadcast.
It starts by referring to the queen’s traditional Christmas address to the nation.
“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,” she was to have said.
“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.”
