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The 94-year-old monarch will recall the sacrifice of the Second World War generation in her speech. She will aim to stiffen the resolve of millions of Britons facing the worst health crisis in a century. And she will broadcast at the exact moment, 75 years ago, when her father King George VI went on air to celebrate victory in Europe. The Queen, one of the few figures left who was actually in the jubilant crowd in central London when the triumph over Nazi Germany was celebrated, is expected to recall the scenes outside Buckingham Palace that day. The speech will also send out a message about the need to remain resolute in the face of adversity.

Her recorded address from Windsor Castle will form the centrepiece of a day of national commemorations that have had to be dramatically revised because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Street parties and parades have had to be cancelled in favour of celebrations in homes and on doorsteps.

But the Royal Family will still play a central part after spending the past few days talking to those who lived through those turbulent days.

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall will lead the nation in a two-minute silence from Scotland at 11am.

Charles, 71, will also read an extract from his grandfather the King’s diary from May 8, 1945, describing the Royal Family’s repeated appearances on the Buckingham Palace balcony in front of the crowds.

The Queen’s message, recorded with just one cameraman in the room in protective equipment to ensure her safety, will recall the radio broadcast in which her father declared: “Today we give thanks to Almighty God for a great deliverance.” She is not expected to name coronavirus specifically, but the parallels will be there to be drawn.

In an address to the nation on April 5, she rallied the nation and Commonwealth by vowing that we will prevail over coronavirus and success will belong to us all.

She said: “I hope in the years to come everyone will be able to take pride in how they responded to this challenge. And those who come after us will say the Britons of this generation were as strong as any. We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return. We will be with our friends again, we will be with our families again, we will meet again.”

Her address tonight will be followed by a rendition of Vera Lynn’s wartime song, We’ll Meet Again.

Britain’s Armed Forces will also mark the day. Royal Navy warships around the world will sound their sirens and pierce the darkness with searchlights. There will also be flypasts by Spitfires, the Red Arrows and RAF Typhoons.

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Mike Wigston said: “We want these flypasts to lift eyes and spirits in celebration of peace in Europe 75 years ago.

“We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to that generation of heroes, from all backgrounds and many countries, who gave so much to defend the United Kingdom and free Europe from Nazi tyranny. The Royal Air Force and Army of today are inspired by everyone who served before us, but especially today, those who fought for and won our freedom in the Second World War.”

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