"Today it may seem hard that we cannot mark this special anniversary as we would wish. Instead we remember from our homes and our doorsteps. But our streets are not empty; they are filled with the love and the care that we have for each other. And when I look at our country today, and see what we are willing to do to protect and support one another, I say with pride that we are still a nation those brave soldiers, sailors and airmen would recognise and admire."

“I sometimes sense the world is changing almost too fast for its inhabitants, at least for us older ones.”

“It has always been easy to hate and destroy. To build and to cherish is much more difficult.”

“1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an 'Annus Horribilis'.”

“The true measure of all our actions is how long the good in them lasts...everything we do, we do for the young.”

“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.”

“I thank you also from the bottom of my heart for the love you gave her during her life and the honour you now give her in death.”