In celebration of her 21st birthday on April 21, 1947, then Princess Elizabeth soon to be Queen Elizabeth II), broadcast a speech on the radio from Cape Town, South Africa dedicating her life to the service of the commonwealth. “At such a time it is a great help to know that there are multitudes of friends all round the world who are thinking of me and who wish me well. I am grateful and I am deeply moved. As I speak to you today from Cape Town I am six thousand miles from the country where I was born,” she said.The speech was written by Dermot Morrah, a 50yr old journalist. Sent by the Times to report on it, the King and his heir presumptive realised that something ought to be done about her 21st birthday. She would make a broadcast speech to the Commonwealth and Dermot was tasked to write it.Tap thumbnail below to watch it
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