Address to the Nation

In many countries, an Address to the Nation or National Address, is a speech, often broadcast live over various media (usually radio and television), directed at the general public. These often take the form of an annual address near the end of the year, but can also respond to pressing current and global events. Inaugural and Resignation speeches are common as well.

United Kingdom
Addresses to the Nation are typically rare in the United Kingdom; however, they increased in frequency during the COVID-19 pandemic. Addresses to the Nation have been held in and outside of 10 Downing Street. Typically the Prime Minister delivers an annual New Year Message.

Winston Churchill was notable for the speeches he gave; his first address to the nation in 1940, was made five days before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Churchill's this was their finest hour speech was first delivered to the House of Commons of the United Kingdom on June 18, 1940, and later that evening was broadcast to the public, as an address to the nation. In her first address to the nation in 2022, Prime Minister Liz Truss promised to cut taxes and deal with the energy crisis "caused by Putin’s war".

By the Monarch
Special addresses to the nation by the British monarch are rare and usually only occur at times of significant national or royal events (Though it is tradition to give an annual Royal Christmas message). On December 25, 1932, King George V became the first monarch to make an address to the nation, in a live radio broadcast. Queen Elizabeth II addressed the nation in September 1997, on the eve of the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales. She also made addresses to thank the public for their support during her Diamond Jubilee in 2012, as well as two addresses in 2020, one regarding the COVID pandemic, and the other regarding the 75th anniversary of VE Day. After Queen Elizabeth passed away in 2022, King Charles addressed the nation, giving a tribute to his late mother.