Her Majesty, the ‘proud daughter of an Army officer’, also paid tribute to ‘determination and selfless loyalty’ of servicemen and women
The Queen has hailed the military families who “keep the home fires burning” in her first Armed Forces Day message.
She also paid tribute to the “determination, unrelenting efforts and selfless loyalty” of servicemen and women who not only safeguard the UK “but also defend liberties way beyond these shores”.
The Queen described herself as the “proud daughter of an Army officer” in the video message and wore her Royal Lancers brooch in honour of her late father’s regiment and the military unit she serves as Colonel in Chief.
Her rare national statement was recorded in the Morning Room at Clarence House, where a photograph of her mother, then Rosalind Cubitt, posing with her father, Major Bruce Shand, outside St Paul’s Church in Knightsbridge, London, on their wedding day, January 2 1946, was on display.
Major Shand served with the 12th Lancers during the Second World War and was awarded the Military Cross in 1940, during the retreat to Dunkirk, and again in 1942 for his efforts in North Africa. He was later wounded and taken prisoner while fighting in the same region. He died in June 2006 aged 89.
Armed Forces Day was established in 2006 after a campaign by The Telegraph to recognise and remember the bravery of Britain’s men and women in uniform.
The first such event was held on June 27, chosen as it came the day after the anniversary of the first investiture of the Victoria Cross, which happened in Hyde Park, London, in 1857.
Elizabeth II often released messages to mark the day but it is not deemed convention for the monarch to do so.
As a force’s daughter, it was deemed appropriate for the Queen to make a statement this year, The Telegraph understands.
In a nod to her husband’s military service, a historic photograph of the King wearing his Royal Navy uniform as Admiral of the Fleet, taken in the garden at Clarence House, was also placed alongside her on the table.
The Queen said she was “honoured” to celebrate the service of the men and women in our military, thanking them all “for everything you do to protect this country of ours.” She also remembered those who made the “ultimate sacrifice” in the pursuit of world peace.
The King and Queen joined world leaders on the beaches of Normandy on June 6 to mark the 80th anniversary of the Second World War D-Day landings.
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