Watch HM's Most Gracious Speech Season 38 Episode 1 Online

Beginning with a reminder of the 50th anniversary of VE-Day and VJ-Day, the Queen stated that remembrance was an important part of life, and paid tribute to those who had served and those who had not returned. She then turned to present-day conflicts, such as the Bosnian War, in which Commonwealth forces were serving, to the full year of peace in Northern Ireland, and referred to her Buckingham Palace invitation to voluntary workers working throughout the world. The Queen mentioned the work of Sister Ethel, a nun helping children in the townships of South Africa, and ended by paying tribute to peacemakers throughout the world.