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The Queen's 'Annus Horribilus' Speech: Why 1992 Was A 'Horrible Year' For Her

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The fifth season of "The Crown," featuring a new cast , will focus on the the royal family's challenges in the 1990s — including 1992, a year the late Queen Elizabeth II deemed her "annus horribilis," or "horrible year."

She uttered the phrase in a speech on Nov. 24, 1992, in honor of the 40th anniversary of her accession , or formal confirmation as monarch.

“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,’” she said during the speech.

“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,’” she continued.

So, what made 1992 so ... "horribilis"? We're breaking it all down for you.

Princess Diana was the subject of a tell-all book

Andrew Morton’s bestselling biography, “Diana: Her True Story ,” was released in February 1992. The book contained revelations about Princess Diana's marriage to Prince Charles and her struggles with mental health and eating disorders.

When the book was published, both Diana and Morton refuted claims that she was involved with the book. But after her death in 1997 , Morton revealed Diana had been his primary source, per the New York Times .

Three of her four children separated from their spouses

In 1992, three of the queen's four children separated from their spouses.

Prince Andrew and his wife Sarah Ferguson announced their separation in March 1992. The couple, who share two daughters , finalized their divorce in 1996.

After announcing their separation in 1989 , Princess Anne and Mark Phillips finalized their divorce in 1992. Anne remarried the same year, marrying the queen's former equerry Timothy Laurence in December.

Then, on Dec. 9, 1992, news broke that Prince Charles, now King Charles III, and Princess Diana were separating .

“It is announced from Buckingham Palace that, with regret, the Prince and Princess of Wales have decided to separate. The Royal Highnesses have no plans to divorce, and their constitutional positions are unaffected,” British Prime Minister John Major said in a statement at the time.

The queen recommended Charles and Diana divorce in 1995; the divorce was finalized in 1996.

Windsor Castle caught fire in 1992

On top of her children's marital woes, Queen Elizabeth II also experienced a fire at her home, Windsor Castle, in November 1992.

Per History.com, the fire broke out in her private chapel and spread to 100+ rooms. It took 15 hours and 220+ firefighters to extinguish the flames.

Prince Andrew worked with staff and soldiers to save artwork from the castle during the fire, which ruined a few pieces from the queen's collection. It took five years to fully renovate the castle.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com

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Milestones of a Monarch: The ‘Annus Horribilis’ Speech

Queen Elizabeth II celebrated the 40 th anniversary of her reign—her Ruby Jubilee—in 1992, though you wouldn’t have known about it unless you knew the context behind her now infamous ‘Annus Horribilis’ speech.

What may have ordinarily been a celebratory event, The Queen’s Ruby Jubilee passed with relatively little fanfare. She and Prince Philip undertook tours of Canada and Australia; but the biggest event in the United Kingdom may have been the luncheon at Spencer House attended by The Queen and all of her living Prime Ministers (which included Prime Minister John Major and the former Prime Ministers Harold Wilson, Edward Heath, James Callaghan and Margaret Thatcher).

But in 1992, what dominated the headlines wasn’t the length of The Queen’s reign, it was all of the personal strife taking place with various members of the Royal Family.

That year alone, Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales separated, as did the Duke and Duchess of York; Princess Anne and Mark Phillips divorced in April, and she remarried Timothy Lawrence in December; Windsor Castle caught fire on her wedding anniversary in November; the bombshell biography, Diana: Her True Story, was published by Andrew Morton and was later revealed to have been a collaboration between Morton and Diana; and Sarah, Duchess of York was photographed in compromising situations with another man.

By the time The Queen was due to attend a lunch marking her 40 years on the throne on 24 November, she couldn’t have been in a less celebratory mood. At Guildhall in London, she used her speech to illustrate this, remarking that “1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure.”

She continued: “In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an ‘Annus Horribilis’. I suspect that I am not alone in thinking it so. Indeed, I suspect that there are very few people or institutions unaffected by these last months of worldwide turmoil and uncertainty. This generosity and whole-hearted kindness of the Corporation of the City to Prince Philip and me would be welcome at any time, but at this particular moment, in the aftermath of Friday’s tragic fire at Windsor, it is especially so.”

The Queen, cannily enough, also spoke about how 1992 may be viewed in the future, telling the guests: “I sometimes wonder how future generations will judge the events of this tumultuous year. I dare say that history will take a slightly more moderate view than that of some contemporary commentators. Distance is well-known to lend enchantment, even to the less attractive views. After all, it has the inestimable advantage of hindsight.

“But it can also lend an extra dimension to judgement, giving it a leavening of moderation and compassion—even of wisdom—that is sometimes lacking in the reactions of those whose task it is in life to offer instant opinions on all things great and small.”

In a speech that touched upon the hardships and the hospitality afforded to her by the City of London, she reflected very briefly on the 40 years she spent on the throne: “Forty years is quite a long time. I am glad to have had the chance to witness, and to take part in, many dramatic changes in life in this country.”

The ‘Annus Horribilis’ speech was immediately listed amongst the most important of her reign, and put a capstone on the year that should’ve been celebratory, but wasn’t. The Queen wouldn’t publicly celebrate another milestone anniversary until 2002’s Golden Jubilee.

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Why did Queen Elizabeth II call 1992 her 'annus horribilis'?

The fifth season of "The Crown," featuring a new cast , will focus on the the royal family's challenges in the 1990s — including 1992, a year the late Queen Elizabeth II deemed her "annus horribilis," or "horrible year."

She uttered the phrase in a speech on Nov. 24, 1992, in honor of the 40th anniversary of her accession , or formal confirmation as monarch.

“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,’” she said during the speech.

“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,’” she continued.

So, what made 1992 so ... "horribilis"? We're breaking it all down for you.

Princess Diana was the subject of a tell-all book

Andrew Morton’s bestselling biography, “Diana: Her True Story ,” was released in February 1992. The book contained revelations about Princess Diana's marriage to Prince Charles and her struggles with mental health and eating disorders.

When the book was published, both Diana and Morton refuted claims that she was involved with the book. But after her death in 1997 , Morton revealed Diana had been his primary source, per the New York Times .

Three of her four children separated from their spouses

In 1992, three of the queen's four children separated from their spouses.

Prince Andrew and his wife Sarah Ferguson announced their separation in March 1992. The couple, who share two daughters , finalized their divorce in 1996.

After announcing their separation in 1989 , Princess Anne and Mark Phillips finalized their divorce in 1992. Anne remarried the same year, marrying the queen's former equerry Timothy Laurence in December.

Then, on Dec. 9, 1992, news broke that Prince Charles, now King Charles III, and Princess Diana were separating .

“It is announced from Buckingham Palace that, with regret, the Prince and Princess of Wales have decided to separate. The Royal Highnesses have no plans to divorce, and their constitutional positions are unaffected,” British Prime Minister John Major said in a statement at the time.

The queen recommended Charles and Diana divorce in 1995; the divorce was finalized in 1996.

Windsor Castle caught fire in 1992

On top of her children's marital woes, Queen Elizabeth II also experienced a fire at her home, Windsor Castle, in November 1992.

Per History.com, the fire broke out in her private chapel and spread to 100+ rooms. It took 15 hours and 220+ firefighters to extinguish the flames.

Prince Andrew worked with staff and soldiers to save artwork from the castle during the fire, which ruined a few pieces from the queen's collection. It took five years to fully renovate the castle.

More about Season 5 of 'The Crown'

• Princess Diana and Prince Charles' relationship timeline
• How the cast of Season 5 of 'The Crown' compares to the real life figures
• 'The Crown’ Season 5 time period: The events and years it'll cover

Chrissy Callahan covers a range of topics for TODAY.com, including fashion, beauty, pop culture and food. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, watching bad reality TV and consuming copious amounts of cookie dough.

6 photos show why Queen Elizabeth declared 1992 a 'horrible year'

• In 1992, Queen Elizabeth II gave a speech at a celebration of her 40th year on the throne. 
• "The Crown" season 5 devoted episode 4 to the Queen's famous "annus horribilis" speech.
• Here are 6 photos showing what happened in what the Queen dubbed as a year of "worldwide turmoil and uncertainty."

On November 24, 1992, Queen Elizabeth II gave a speech at Guildhall in London, England, celebrating her 40th year on the throne.

In the now-famous speech, the Queen references 1992 as her "annus horribilis" or "horrible year."

"1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure," she said, referencing her personal battles, including multiple strained marriages in the royal family and the fire at Windsor Castle. 

"Indeed, I suspect that there are very few people or institutions unaffected by these last months of worldwide turmoil and uncertainty," the Queen continued.

Netflix's "The Crown" season 5 breaks down the Queen's horrid year. Episode 4, appropriately titled "Annus Horribilis" takes a deeper look at the Queen's ruby jubilee speech and foreshadows the tumult to come within the royal family. 

On November 20, 1992, a fire broke out at Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world.

Windsor Castle is a favorite property of the royal family and serves as the Queen's final resting place . 

According to The Royal Collection Trust a "faulty spotlight" set a curtain ablaze, causing the expansive fire just days before the Queen's "annus horribilis" speech. 115 rooms were destroyed in the fire per the charity's website. 

Per the documentary "Windsor Castle: After the Fire," it took seven fire and rescue services, and 225 firefighters more than 15 hours to contain the flames.

The castle's restoration was completed in 1997, according to the trust. 

"The Crown" season 5 opens with a Sunday Times poll that suggested the public wanted then-Prince Charles to ascend the throne while Queen Elizabeth was still alive.

In January 1990, a Sunday Times poll found that nine out of 10 people felt 'mostly' or 'very' favorable about the Queen's monarchy, according to Town & Country . BBC reporter Hugh Montgomery described the poll as a "blandly positive piece."

In Netflix's fictionalized series, a scene depicts then-Prince Charles holding a secret meeting with then-prime minister John Major about replacing the Queen after a Sunday Times poll shows the UK's dissatisfaction with the monarchy. The episode, titled "Queen Victoria Syndrome," touched on the idea of an outdated monarchy resistant to change. 

All parties involved have denied that such a meeting ever took place.

Major spoke out in October about the fictitious plot to The Guardian via a statement. "It should come as no surprise that this is complete and utter rubbish," a spokesperson for Major told the outlet. 

In December 1992, Princess Diana and Prince Charles legally separated amidst scandal and alleged infidelity.

Princess Diana and Prince Charles tied the knot in July 1981. A year later, they welcomed their firstborn son, Prince William. In 1984, Prince Harry was born. After years of marital issues, the two filed for separation in 1992. 

The New York Times reported that the Royal Palace took "pains" to convey the split was "amicable," despite rumors that both Diana and Charles partook in extramarital affairs.  

In November 1992, an "intimate transcript of a  1989 phone call " between Charles and ex-girlfriend Camilla Parker Bowles was released to the public, Insider reports. The then-Prince infamously said "I'll just live inside your trousers or something," in the leaked phone calls. 

Two years later, in 1994, Prince Charles publicly admitted to having an affair with Camilla during an interview  with documentarian Jonathan Dimbleby , Insider reports. That same year, it was speculated that Princess Diana wore the iconic "revenge dress" in response to Charles' interview. 

In August 1996, Charles and Diana officially filed for divorce after 15 years of marriage. The divorce was followed by Diana's tragic death in August 1997 . The Princess died in a car accident in Paris, France. 

After years of marital strain and alleged infidelity, Princess Anne and Mark Phillips legally divorced in April 1992.

Princess Anne and Phillips were married in November 1973 and share two children, Zara and Peter. The royal couple announced their separation in 1989 after love letters between Princess Anne and Commander Timothy Laurence were leaked to the tabloid The Sun, according to Town & Country.

Anne and Phillips were officially divorced in April 1992.

Princess Anne went on to marry Laurence later that same year. Since Anne was a divorcee, she could not remarry in London and although The Church of England did permit divorce, it did not permit remarrying, according to the History Channel. Anne and Laurence held their intimate ceremony in Balmoral, Scotland.

In "The Crown," the Queen was hesitant to sign off on Anne and Laurence's marriage so soon after her divorce, causing a rift between the mother and daughter in the series. In reality, the Queen was in attendance at the Balmoral ceremony and signed off on the matrimony. 

In March 1992, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson filed for separation. In August 1992, Ferguson's cheating scandal made national headlines.

The Duke and Duchess of York got married in 1986 and have two children together, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. After six years together, they legally separated.

Though they had already filed for separation in early 1992, tabloids shared photos of Ferguson's alleged infidelity in August of that year. In the leaked photos, Ferguson's "financial advisor" could be seen sucking and kissing her feet while they vacationed in St. Tropez, The Washington Post reported.  

The couple officially divorced in 1996. Though Ferguson remained iced out from the royal family for years, she is reportedly back on good terms with them. She detailed the scandal and her royal relationships in her 2011 memoir "Finding Sarah: A Duchess's Journey to Find Herself."

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Queen Elizabeth II delivers her ‘Annus Horribilis’ speech, describing her sadness at the events of the year including the marriage breakdown of her two sons and the devastating fire at Windsor Castle at the Guildhall in London on this day in 1992:

My Lord Mayor, Could I say, first, how delighted I am that the Lady Mayoress is here today. This great hall has provided me with some of the most memorable events of my life. The hospitality of the City of London is famous around the world, but nowhere is it more appreciated than among the members of my family. I am deeply grateful that you, my Lord Mayor, and the Corporation, have seen fit to mark the fortieth anniversary of my Accession with this splendid lunch, and by giving me a picture which I will greatly cherish. Thank you also for inviting representatives of so many organisations with which I and my family have special connections, in some cases stretching back over several generations. To use an expression more common north of the Border, this is a real ‘gathering of the clans’. 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’. I suspect that I am not alone in thinking it so. Indeed, I suspect that there are very few people or institutions unaffected by these last months of worldwide turmoil and uncertainty. This generosity and whole-hearted kindness of the Corporation of the City to Prince Philip and me would be welcome at any time, but at this particular moment, in the aftermath of Friday’s tragic fire at Windsor, it is especially so. And, after this last weekend, we appreciate all the more what has been set before us today. Years of experience, however, have made us a bit more canny than the lady, less well versed than us in the splendours of City hospitality, who, when she was offered a balloon glass for her brandy, asked for ‘only half a glass, please’. It is possible to have too much of a good thing. A well-meaning Bishop was obviously doing his best when he told Queen Victoria, “Ma’am, we cannot pray too often, nor too fervently, for the Royal Family”. The Queen’s reply was: “Too fervently, no; too often, yes”. I, like Queen Victoria, have always been a believer in that old maxim “moderation in all things”. I sometimes wonder how future generations will judge the events of this tumultuous year. I dare say that history will take a slightly more moderate view than that of some contemporary commentators. Distance is well-known to lend enchantment, even to the less attractive views. After all, it has the inestimable advantage of hindsight. But it can also lend an extra dimension to judgement, giving it a leavening of moderation and compassion – even of wisdom – that is sometimes lacking in the reactions of those whose task it is in life to offer instant opinions on all things great and small. No section of the community has all the virtues, neither does any have all the vices. I am quite sure that most people try to do their jobs as best they can, even if the result is not always entirely successful. He who has never failed to reach perfection has a right to be the harshest critic. There can be no doubt, of course, that criticism is good for people and institutions that are part of public life. No institution – City, Monarchy, whatever – should expect to be free from the scrutiny of those who give it their loyalty and support, not to mention those who don’t. But we are all part of the same fabric of our national society and that scrutiny, by one part of another, can be just as effective if it is made with a touch of gentleness, good humour and understanding. This sort of questioning can also act, and it should do so, as an effective engine for change. The City is a good example of the way the process of change can be incorporated into the stability and continuity of a great institution. I particularly admire, my Lord Mayor, the way in which the City has adapted so nimbly to what the Prayer Book calls “The changes and chances of this mortal life”. You have set an example of how it is possible to remain effective and dynamic without losing those indefinable qualities, style and character. We only have to look around this great hall to see the truth of that. Forty years is quite a long time. I am glad to have had the chance to witness, and to take part in, many dramatic changes in life in this country. But I am glad to say that the magnificent standard of hospitality given on so many occasions to the Sovereign by the Lord Mayor of London has not changed at all. It is an outward symbol of one other unchanging factor which I value above all – the loyalty given to me and to my family by so many people in this country, and the Commonwealth, throughout my reign. You, my Lord Mayor, and all those whose prayers – fervent, I hope, but not too frequent – have sustained me through all these years, are friends indeed. Prince Philip and I give you all, wherever you may be, our most humble thanks. And now I ask you to rise and drink the health of the Lord Mayor and Corporation of London.

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One thought on “ queen’s ‘annus horribilis’ speech, 1992 ”.

Oh, my, I remember this one. Prince Philip’s expression as he listens to the Queen’s speech says it all. It’s a look of sad acceptance of the bad things over which neither of them has control. But, they adapted. They kept calm and carried on. 🙂

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Queen Elizabeth II, in her own words: Her most memorable remarks

LONDON — Speeches from Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, who died on Thursday, punctuated key moments of her 70 years on the throne — giving insights into her family, faith and sense of duty.

Her remarks provide snapshots of what was going on in her personal life and British public life. Here are some of the most memorable.

On her 21st birthday: April 21, 1947

Princess Elizabeth was on a tour of South Africa with her parents and younger sister Margaret when she turned 21 years old. In a speech broadcast on the radio from Cape Town, she dedicated her life to the service of the Commonwealth, in one of her earliest public addresses.

“This is a happy day for me; but it is also one that brings serious thoughts, thoughts of life looming ahead with all its challenges and with all its opportunity,” the young Elizabeth said.

Still a princess, she went on to make a profound royal pledge: “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.”

On her Coronation Day: June 2, 1953

The queen ascended to the throne on Feb. 6, 1952, after the death of her father, King George VI, but her coronation took place in 1953, when she was 27. Her husband, Philip, had urged that the event be televised for the first time, and millions in the United Kingdom and abroad watched the broadcast by the BBC from London’s Westminster Abbey.

Following the event that placed the royal family firmly in people’s living rooms, Elizabeth, in a broadcast to the nation that evening, reflected on the day’s momentous events.

“Although my experience is so short and my task so new, I have in my parents and grandparents an example which I can follow with certainty and with confidence,” she said. “As this day draws to its close, I know that my abiding memory of it will be, not only the solemnity and beauty of the ceremony, but the inspiration of your loyalty and affection. I thank you all from a full heart.”

‘Annus Horribilis’: Nov. 24, 1992

In 1992, the queen gave a speech in London to mark the 40th anniversary of her accession to the throne, wherein she famously defined the year in Latin as an “annus horribilis” — or a horrible year.

She remarked: “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.’ I suspect that I am not alone in thinking it so.”

Her speech came days after a major fire at Windsor Castle, a royal residence, and after three of her children’s marriages, including that of Prince Charles and Diana, collapsed, generating reams of tabloid headlines that cast a critical spotlight on British royal life.

Maintaining a quintessential British stiff upper lip, the monarch welcomed scrutiny of her role. “Criticism is good for people and institutions that are part of public life,” she said. “No institution — city, monarchy, whatever — should expect to be free from the scrutiny of those who give it their loyalty and support, not to mention those who don’t.”

She added, “But we are all part of the same fabric of our national society, and that scrutiny, by one part of another, can be just as effective if it is made with a touch of gentleness, good humor and understanding.”

She did not repeat the Latin phrase again publicly, but some royal pundits speculated that she may have been tempted to do so in 2019, after her husband was involved in a public car crash, her grandsons Princes William and Harry publicly fell out, and her second son Prince Andrew became entangled in links to the disgraced American financier Jeffrey Epstein.

On the death of Princess Diana: Sept. 5, 1997

After the death of Princess Diana in a car crash in Paris shook the world, the queen spoke to the nation live from Buckingham Palace.

“Since last Sunday’s dreadful news we have seen, throughout Britain and around the world, an overwhelming expression of sadness at Diana’s death. We have all been trying in our different ways to cope,” she said.

“I want to pay tribute to Diana myself. She was an exceptional and gifted human being. In good times and bad, she never lost her capacity to smile and laugh, nor to inspire others with her warmth and kindness. I admired and respected her — for her energy and commitment to others, and especially for her devotion to her two boys,” the queen said in an effort to comfort a stunned nation after facing media criticism for being slow to publicly react.

“No one who knew Diana will ever forget her. Millions of others who never met her, but felt they knew her, will remember her. I for one believe there are lessons to be drawn from her life and from the extraordinary and moving reaction to her death,” she said.

Diana died at 36 and left behind two young princes, who have both since spoken about how her death affected the way they shape their royal roles and public life.

On the death of Prince Philip: April 9, 2021

Buckingham Palace announced the death of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, on April 9, 2021.

“It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband,” the palace statement said . Philip died at Windsor Castle, and his funeral days later and during the coronavirus pandemic was televised globally. The event yielded moving images of the elderly queen, now a widow, starkly sitting alone in keeping with pandemic restrictions.

Elizabeth, whom Philip affectionately called Lilibet, had spoken of him in 1997 when the couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, calling him her “strength and stay.”

At the time, she recounted events over the 50 years of their marriage, including the end of the Cold War, the Beatles, humans traveling to the moon, the introduction of television, mobile phones and the internet, and England’s winning the soccer World Cup, as well as “the joys of having children and grandchildren” together.

“All too often, I fear, Prince Philip has had to listen to me speaking. Frequently we have discussed my intended speech beforehand and, as you will imagine, his views have been expressed in a forthright manner. He is someone who doesn’t take easily to compliments, but he has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know.”

After her husband’s death, she did not directly address the nation, but a phrase resurfaced that the queen had previously sent in a message to the United States following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks: “Grief is the price we pay for love,” she said.

Annual Christmas speeches

The queen gave thousands of speeches at royal engagements to heads of state and diplomats, when inaugurating buildings and boats, and annually at Christmas. The latter grew to become a social staple and British holiday tradition, as her yuletide speeches were peppered with words of wisdom, faith and occasionally personal reflections from the nonagenarian.

“In the old days, the monarch led his soldiers on the battlefield, and his leadership at all times was close and personal. Today things are very different,” she said in her first televised Christmas broadcast in 1957. “I cannot lead you into battle, I do not give you laws or administer justice, but I can do something else. I can give you my heart and my devotion to these old islands and to all the peoples of our brotherhood of nations.”

In 1974, her Christmas message alluded to violence in Northern Ireland and in the Middle East, and she encouraged people globally to seek the path of peace and reconciliation. “We may hold different points of view, but it is in times of stress and difficulty that we most need to remember that we have much more in common than there is dividing us,” she said .

In 2002, despite celebrating 50 years on the throne during her Golden Jubilee, she also mourned the death of her mother and sister within a few weeks of each other. In her Christmas message that year, she reflected on the need for humanity amid crisis.

“Our modern world places such heavy demands on our time and attention that the need to remember our responsibilities to others is greater than ever,” she said .

And finally, perhaps for many, a quip that the queen made to her aides, as reported by her royal biographer, may be her most charming comment. “I have to be seen to be believed,” she joked.

Celebration of her Platinum Jubilee: Feb. 6, 2022

In February, the queen reached a historic milestone: becoming the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of her reign. The United Kingdom celebrated during a four-day holiday in June with pomp and ceremony, street parties, musical concerts and military parades.

It was the last time the queen would publicly stand on the balcony at Buckingham Palace, alongside her family, waving to millions of people who had flocked to see her.

“I continue to be inspired by the goodwill shown to me,” she said, “and hope that the coming days will provide an opportunity to reflect on all that has been achieved during the last 70 years, as we look to the future with confidence and enthusiasm.”

Elizabeth previously celebrated her Silver Jubilee in 1977, Golden Jubilee in 2002 and Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

She died at her home in Balmoral Castle, Scotland, at 96.

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The Queen’s speech 2022: what was in it and what it means

Analysis: The bills included on the government’s agenda for the year and what their aims are

The Queen’s speech , which set out the government’s legislative agenda for the next parliamentary year, was a mix of new plans, long-made pledges and a handful of held-over bills. Here is what it set out – and what it all means, politically.

What is planned: There are six proposed bills intended to make the UK more competitive or otherwise free and liberal in the wake of Brexit , or tailored to post-Brexit trade deals. The flagship is the Brexit freedoms bill, which allows EU rules to be easily removed. Also planned are the procurement bill, financial services and markets bill, data reform bill, genetic technology (precision breeding) bill and trade (Australia and New Zealand) bill.

Why it’s there: In part this is the sheer logistical necessity of changing regulations in the aftermath of Brexit. But the Brexit freedoms bill in particular is intended to remind voters that Boris Johnson got departure from the EU over the line, seen by the Conservatives as a key success.

Culture wars

What is planned: There are seven bills arguably aimed, in part or whole, at stirring up the Tory base, creating headlines in friendly papers and annoying opponents. A public order bill will specifically target disruptive environmental protesters; a media bill will allow Channel 4 to be privatised; public bodies will not be allowed to boycott certain countries. Arguably the key bill would replace the Human Rights Act with a UK bill of rights. The higher education (freedom of speech) bill makes a return from the last parliament. The levelling up bill promises local people “more of a say over changing street names”. Finally, the conversion therapy bill will ban practices aimed at changing sexuality, but not gender identity.

Why it’s there: This is all part of a wider No 10-led strategy to focus on such divisive issues in the hope of shoring up support among socially conservative voters. Whether there are enough of these to win another election, if more liberal Britons become alienated, remains to be seen.

Energy, cost of living and levelling up

What is planned: Two things – a bill setting out Downing Street’s energy security policy, and the much-touted bill to put into law the strategy for levelling up. The latter is described in fairly broad terms, with commitments including the pledge for more devolution in England and, perhaps more appealing to some voters, giving local people powers to shape planning decisions.

Why it’s there: The planning element is fairly clearly aimed at wooing disillusioned Tory voters, especially in the south of England. Elsewhere, it is more of a question, some might argue, of why there is not more focus on the cost of living, even if in part this is because this is an issue which concerns day-to-day policy rather than legislation.

Environment

What is planned: In legislative terms, only one thing: creating a UK infrastructure bank to “support regional and local economic growth and deliver net zero”.

Why it’s there: As with the cost of living, critics might point to the lack of much else. The 140-page Queen’s speech briefing document has brief mentions of the climate emergency in terms of foreign aid, but that is otherwise it. The only mention of “insulate” is a promise to jail Insulate Britain protesters.

What is planned: A higher education bill and a schools bill, setting out loans for post-18 education and a funding settlement for English schools.

Why it’s there: Education is a perennial feature of Queen’s speeches. The schools funding settlement has been contentious for some time, and could bring debate.

Housing and planning

What is planned: Once again, given the housing crisis, it is a case, perhaps, of what is not said. There are planned bills to create a regulator of social housing, and a renters’ reform bill to abolish “no fault” evictions. More significant are the “blue wall”-friendly measures to allow more local input into planning.

Why it’s there: There appears no consensus in government about how to build more homes, so improving the lot of renters at least does something. And planning has been a political minefield for many years.

Crime and security

What is planned: Yet another permanent fixture of the Queen’s speech. A national security bill – a delayed espionage bill from the previous session – tightens up official secrets law and will require lobbyists and PRs to register work for foreign states. An economic crime bill, revived after the invasion of Ukraine, proposes giving more powers to Companies House, insisting on better identity verification for those who manage, own or control British companies.

Why it’s there: Most of the crime bills are legislative tidying up; the flagship crime-based bill is the public order bill, seeking to further restrict protest. Critics will note there is nothing aimed at easing the backlog of cases in the judicial system.

Everything else

What is planned: A mixed bag of more than a dozen bills taking in areas including transport, including a plan for Great British Railways to simplify the privatised rail system and a law specifically aimed at P&O Ferries, mandating minimum employment standards for seafarers. Two bills concern Northern Ireland, and others are even more specific, such as the planned electronic trade documents bill, which puts electronic documents on the same legal basis as their paper equivalents.

Why it’s there: It depends on the bill. Some, such as the rail bill, are the hobby horse of a particular minister (in this case, Grant Shapps). Others simply adapt legislation for a changing world. A few, such as a bill on modern slavery and people trafficking, have been discussed and delayed for some years.

• Queen's speech
• Boris Johnson
• Planning policy

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Queen’s Speech 2022

Her Majesty’s most gracious speech to both Houses of Parliament.

My Lords and members of the House of Commons.

My Government’s priority is to grow and strengthen the economy and help ease the cost of living for families. My Government will level up opportunity in all parts of the country and support more people into work. My Ministers will continue to support the police to make the streets safer, and fund the National Health Service to reduce the COVID backlogs. In these challenging times, my Government will play a leading role in defending democracy and freedom across the world, including continuing to support the people of Ukraine.

My Government will drive economic growth to improve living standards and fund sustainable investment in public services. This will be underpinned by a responsible approach to the public finances, reducing debt while reforming and cutting taxes. My Ministers will support the Bank of England to return inflation to its target.

A Bill will be brought forward to drive local growth, empowering local leaders to regenerate their areas, and ensuring everyone can share in the United Kingdom’s success. The planning system will be reformed to give residents more involvement in local development [Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill].

My Government will improve transport across the United Kingdom, delivering safer, cleaner services and enabling more innovations. Legislation will be introduced to modernise rail services and improve reliability for passengers [Transport Bill].

My Ministers will bring forward an Energy Bill to deliver the transition to cheaper, cleaner, and more secure energy. This will build on the success of the COP26 Summit in Glasgow last year [Energy Security Bill]. Draft legislation to promote competition, strengthen consumer rights and protect households and businesses will be published. Measures will also be published to create new competition rules for digital markets and the largest digital firms [Draft Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill].

My Government will establish the UK Infrastructure Bank in legislation, with objectives to support economic growth and the delivery of net zero [UK Infrastructure Bank Bill].

Reforms to education will help every child fulfil their potential wherever they live, raising standards and improving the quality of schools and higher education [Schools Bill, Higher Education Bill]. My Ministers will publish draft legislation to reform the Mental Health Act [Draft Mental Health Act Reform Bill].

My Government will continue to seize the opportunities of the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union, to support economic growth. Regulations on businesses will be repealed and reformed. A bill will enable law inherited from the European Union to be more easily amended [Brexit Freedoms Bill]. Public sector procurement will be simplified to provide new opportunities for small businesses [Procurement Bill].

New legislation will strengthen the United Kingdom’s financial services industry, ensuring that it continues to act in the interest of all people and communities [Financial Services and Markets Bill]. The United Kingdom’s data protection regime will be reformed [Data Reform Bill].

My Government will continue to champion international trade, delivering jobs across the country and growing the economy. Legislation will be introduced to enable the implementation of the United Kingdom’s first new Free Trade Agreements since leaving the European Union [Trade (Australia and New Zealand) Bill].

My Ministers will encourage agricultural and scientific innovation at home. Legislation will unlock the potential of new technologies to promote sustainable and efficient farming and food production [Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill].

My Government will protect the integrity of the United Kingdom’s borders and ensure the safety of its people. My Ministers will take action to prevent dangerous and illegal Channel crossings and tackle the criminal gangs who profit from facilitating them. Legislation will be introduced to ensure the police have the powers to make the streets safer [Public Order Bill].

A bill will be brought forward to further strengthen powers to tackle illicit finance, reduce economic crime and help businesses grow [Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill]. Measures will be introduced to support the security services and help them protect the United Kingdom [National Security Bill].

My Government will lead the way in championing security around the world. It will continue to invest in our gallant Armed Forces. My Ministers will work closely with international partners to maintain a united NATO and address the most pressing global security challenges.

The continued success and integrity of the whole of the United Kingdom is of paramount importance to my Government, including the internal economic bonds between all of its parts. My Government will prioritise support for the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement and its institutions, including through legislation to address the legacy of the past [Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill].

My Government will ensure the constitution is defended. My Ministers will restore the balance of power between the legislature and the courts by introducing a Bill of Rights [Bill of Rights]. Legislation will prevent public bodies engaging in boycotts that undermine community cohesion [Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions Bill].

My Government will introduce legislation to improve the regulation of social housing to strengthen the rights of tenants and ensure better quality, safer homes [Social Housing Regulation Bill]. Legislation will also be introduced to ban conversion therapy [Conversion Therapy Bill]. Proposals will be published to establish an independent regulator of English football.

In this year of my Platinum Jubilee, I look forward to the celebrations taking place across the United Kingdom and throughout the Commonwealth, and to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham this summer.

MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

Estimates for the public services will be laid before you.

MY LORDS AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

Other measures will be laid before you.

I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your counsels.

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In a Firm Voice, Queen Opens U.K. Parliament

The government plans laid out in the Queen’s Speech suggest that Prime Minister Boris Johnson intends to make full use of favorable political conditions.

Queen Elizabeth Opens Her 67th Parliament

Queen elizabeth opened her 67th parliament with a speech focused on international diplomacy and affairs in the united kingdom. the speech was seen as a reassuring sign of continuity for britain’s monarchy..

My ministers will provide our gallant armed services with the biggest spending increase in 30 years, taking forward the program of modernization and reinforcing the United Kingdom’s commitment to NATO. My ministers will honor and strengthen the armed forces covenant, placing it in law. Measures will be introduced to provide national insurance contribution relief for employers of veterans. Legislation will be introduced to counter hostile activity by foreign states. My ministers will implement the integrated review of security, defense, development and foreign policy. The United Kingdom will host the G7 Summit, and lead the global effort to secure a robust economic recovery from the pandemic. My ministers will deepen trade ties in the Gulf, Africa and the Indo-Pacific. My government will continue to provide aid where it has the greatest impact on reducing poverty and alleviating human suffering. My government will uphold human rights and democracy across the world. It will take forward a global effort to get 40 million girls across the world into school.

By Mark Landler

LONDON — Prime Minister Boris Johnson hoped to use the opening of Britain’s Parliament on Tuesday to galvanize his government’s agenda after a striking series of victories in regional elections in England last week. But the spotlight shone brightest on Queen Elizabeth II , who appeared in public for the first time since burying her husband, Prince Philip, to handle the age-old pageantry.

Squired by her eldest son and heir, Prince Charles, the queen presided over a ceremony she had attended for decades with Philip . Now a widow, and three weeks after turning 95, her voice was firm and steady as she read the Queen’s Speech, in which Mr. Johnson’s government laid out an ambitious agenda to “level up” the economically depressed north of England with the more prosperous south.

It was the queen’s 67th opening of Parliament, a reassuring sign of continuity for Britain’s constitutional monarchy after a turbulent period for the royal family . For Mr. Johnson, it was a chance to bring normalcy back to politics, after the turmoil of Brexit and a pandemic that paralyzed the country, leaving more than 127,000 people dead .

Mr. Johnson signaled that he intended to keep playing a dominant role in the political arena, proposing to scrap a law that restricts his ability to call general elections. With the government reaping credit for Britain’s swift rollout of vaccines and the prospect of a post-lockdown economic boom, Mr. Johnson might decide to call an election a year early, in 2023, to take better advantage of the good news.

The government also proposed that voters be required to show photo identification at polling places in general elections, which it defended as a means to prevent fraud. But opposition parties criticized the move as unnecessary, and said it could suppress turnout, particularly among ethnic minorities — an argument often made about voter ID laws that have been passed by several American states.

“Voter I.D. is a disgraceful piece of chicanery,” said Baroness Rosalind Scott, a member of the House of Lords and a former president of the Liberal Democrats. “Voter fraud is very rare here, so it’s a solution in search of a problem.”

It was one of a handful of right-leaning measures — including a crime bill that would allow police to sharply restrict demonstrations and legislation to protect speech on university campuses — that served as a reminder that, for all its Social Democratic-style spending, Mr. Johnson’s party is still conservative.

The policing legislation has ignited angry “Kill the Bill” protests in London and other cities, where demonstrators view it as a way to crack down on legitimate gatherings. In Bristol, protesters lobbed rocks and fireworks at the police, which some warned would backfire by stoking public support for the measures.

“Johnson’s going for what’s long been the sweet spot in British politics,” said Timothy Bale, a professor of politics at Queen Mary University in London. “Just to the left of center on economics and public provision; quite a long way to the right on pretty much everything else, especially if it has to do with law and order, immigration and now anything that smacks of political correctness gone mad.”

Much of the speech, however, was on more familiar, conciliatory ground. The government promised to “deliver a national recovery from the pandemic that makes the United Kingdom stronger, healthier and more prosperous than before.”

Reading a text prepared by Downing Street, the queen spoke fluently of Mr. Johnson’s plans to roll out “ 5G mobile coverage and gigabit capable broadband ” throughout the country. The government will plow money into the National Health Service, a popular measure after it withstood a year of unrelenting pressure from the pandemic and overhaul planning regulations to encourage more construction of single-family houses.

The speech did not directly address perhaps the thorniest challenge facing Mr. Johnson: pressure for a second independence referendum in Scotland , where pro-independence parties expanded their majority in the regional Parliament in last week’s election.

The government said only that it would “promote the strength and integrity of the union” — a pledge that is likely to involve pouring more public money into Scotland and putting off the Scottish National Party’s demands to allow a vote.

“The question is, is Boris Johnson right to think that delaying it might help him?” said Jonathan Powell, who served as chief of staff to Prime Minister Tony Blair. “This will be the dominating issue of British politics for the next four or five years.”

With strict social distancing rules in place, the ceremony was scaled back and stripped down. The queen was driven from Buckingham Palace in a Range Rover rather than a gilded carriage. She shunned the 18-foot velvet cape and imperial crown that she once wore at state openings in favor of a more sensible lilac coat and hat.

The recent death of Philip also lent the proceedings a wistful atmosphere, even though he had turned over the duties of escorting the queen to Charles a few years ago, after his retirement. Charles and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, watched from the sidelines as Elizabeth sat on a carved wooden throne.

Though missing hundreds of jockeying lawmakers and V.I.P. guests, the ceremony still had its share of otherworldly pomp. The crown, which normally resides in the Tower of London, was paraded through the echoing hallways of the Palace of Westminster on a red velvet pillow rather than on the queen’s head.

Lawmakers were summoned from the House of Commons by the Lady Usher of the Black Rod, who first had the door slammed in her face as a sign of its members’ independence. Mr. Johnson and the leader of the opposition, Keir Starmer, said nothing to each other as they walked, single file and masked, to the House of Lords.

Last week’s elections left the Labour Party in disarray , as Mr. Johnson’s Conservative Party made further inroads into Labour’s stronghold in working-class districts in the Midlands and the north of England.

Mr. Starmer tried to regain his footing in the debate that followed the ceremony, excoriating the government for not introducing legislation to bolster Britain’s care for older people and those with disabilities. Mr. Johnson, he said, had promised to do so 657 days ago.

“Failure to act after a pandemic is nothing short of an insult to a whole nation,” Mr. Starmer declared.

Mark Landler is the London bureau chief. In 27 years at The Times, he has been bureau chief in Hong Kong and Frankfurt, White House correspondent, diplomatic correspondent, European economic correspondent, and a business reporter in New York. More about Mark Landler

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The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20500

Remarks by President   Biden on the Care Economy | Washington,   D.C.

Union Station Washington, D.C.

1:01 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, hello, hello.  (Applause.)  As my mother would say, “God love you all.” 

Crystal, thank you for sharing your story.  It’s a — and a simple truth.

Folks, you know, there’s no better place for me to — last year at this day, I declared Caregiver and Caretaker — Caregivers Month.  And — and it’s — and I couldn’t think of no better place to celebrate it today than here at this station.  (Applause.) 

No, no, I’ll tell you why.  For 36 years, I commuted from the state of Delaware to here every single day the Senate was in session.  And over a millio- — a lo- — a lot of times.  The reason I did is — I think I understand a little bit what many of you have gone through and what you’re trying to help with.

You know, when I got elected, I was 26 — 29 years old.  I wasn’t old enough to be sworn in.  While I was down here hiring staff, before I was sworn in, I got a call saying my wife and daughter were dead and my two boys were badly injured.  And so, you know, I — I wasn’t going to come down, but I had a — thank God, I had a family and a lot of friends and older men- — members like me, 45, 50 — (laughter) — who helped me out.

But all — but all kidding aside, I didn’t have them — I was just — I just had started a law practice.  I didn’t have any money.  I mean, I made a living, but I didn’t have any money.  And what I tried to do is figure out how I was going to raise my boys.

AUDIENCE MEMBERS:  Wooo!

THE PRESIDENT:  No, I’m serious.

And I tell you what, I really wondered: Why did I commute every single day?  Over a million miles roundtrip over the time I was in the United States Senate.

And the reason I did: I couldn’t afford a house down here without selling my house at home, and I couldn’t afford caregiving.  It was the God’s truth.  No possibility.  None whatsoever.

But I — lucky I had a family.  My mother, my father, my sister, my brother all moved in, helped me take care of my kids.  But then we ended up with Mom getting sick and Dad getting sick, and they — we took care of them — the so-called sandwich generation.

Look, you care workers represent the best of who we are as Americans.  (Applause.)  No, you really do.  We look out for one another in America.  We leave nobody behind — nobody behind.

And you said — all the heroes in the lives you was — talk about.  Well, you’re our hero.  You’re the heroes to so many individuals.  You really are.  And you represent so many people who do it — and do it out of love and concern, not because of the pay, because they’re not getting the pay they need.  It matters.  (Laughter.)

As your President, I’m here with a simple message.  I give you my word: I have your back.  I have your back.  (Applause.)

I also to thank the family of Ady Barkan, whose widow Rachael and her son here — Carl — are here, just backstage.  I just met with them.  Their family embodies why care matters.  It’s critical to the dignity of care, the dignity of all — all caregivers and workers.

My dad used to say, “A job — Joey” — I give you my word as a (inaudible).  “A job is about a lot more than a paycheck.  It’s about your dignity.  It’s about respect.”  (Applause.)  No, it really is.  “It’s about being able to look your kid in the eye and say, ‘Honey, it’s going to be okay.’”

Care workers and caregivers are critical to our families and to the entire economy.  That’s why as a candidate, as president I was determined to turn things around.  We’ve made progress, but there’s so more that we have to do — so much more.

If we want the best economy in the world, we have to have the best caregiving economy in the world.  (Applause.)  We really do.  They are not inconsistent.  They are consistent.

But the cost of care is too high and pay for care workers is much too low.  (Applause.)

Take childcare.  A typical family spends $11,000 a year on childcare per child — per child.  If you live in a big city, that can be $17,000 for each child — more than their college tuition if, God willing, you’re able to get there.  And a lot of parents do the math and realize they can’t afford to go to work, because childcare can sometimes literally cost more than they earn — more than they earn.

You know, take homecare.  The cost of long-term care for aging loved ones and people with disabilities rose 40 percent in the last decade.

Medicaid offers help, but it can’t meet the demand.  You know, there are 700,000 seniors waiting in line — 700,000 waiting in line, and people with disabilities are stuck on Medicaid homecare waiting lists for as long as 10 years if they survive to be qualifi- — it’s amazing.  Think about it.

Family members like ours and yours often spend their own retirement savings to pay for the care of the loved ones.  Others leave their jobs to care for them.  And millions are part of the so-called sandwich generation, taking care of both your kids and your aging parents at the same time — at least that’s been the experience of the Biden family.  It’s overwhelming.

Take paid leave.  We’re the only ad- — (applause) — we’re — we’re the — we’re the only advanced economy in the world not to guarantee paid leave.  We’re going to change that.  (Applause.)  That means to help a loved one, many folks have to leave work to [or] find out later that they’ve been fired.

In the United States of America, no one — no one should choose between caring for a parent who’s raised them, a child who depends on them, or a paycheck that they need.  (Applause.)  That’s not why it should be — the way it should be.  No, I’m serious.  You wonder whether I feel strongly about this, I do.

Look, more often than not, from childcare to eldercare to the lack of paid leave, it’s women who bear the brunt — (applause) — women who bear the brunt.

We saw that during the pandemic when 2 million women left their jobs to help take care of their families.  It hurts our whole economy to lose so much talent in the workplace.  And it keeps women from earning the equal pay they deserve because they say, “Well, you haven’t been here.”

Look, a fact: Care workers are predominately women as well — women of color and immigrants who are overworked, overlooked, and underpaid.  (Applause.)  It’s not enough just to praise them for all they’re doing; we have to pay them.  (Applause.)

To invest in our care economy, as soon as I came into office, I signed the American Rescue Plan.  Not a single Republican voted for it, I might add — not one. 

It made our nation’s biggest investment in childcare ever.  (Applause.)  For example, it kept 225,000 childcare workers — cen- — well, childcare working centers open, giving parents an opportunity —

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  (Inaudible.)

THE PRESIDENT:  — to get back to work. 

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, I tell you what — you want to come make a speech or shush up?  Okay?  (Laughter.)  I’m not messing around with him.  He — he lo- — he looks like he could take me.  AFSCME!  (Applause.)

Look, it expanded the Childcare Tax Credit, cutting child poverty in America in half.  That’s what it did.  We cut it in half.  (Applause.)

Overall, my administration increased funding for nearly 50 percent for — of — by 50 percent for childcare.  And in the coming weeks, we plan to release new rules to strengthen staffing standards in nursing homes, to get homecare workers a bigger share of Medicaid payments.  (Applause.)

But I want to — but that’s not going to be enough.  I want to do more, and we can do more.

My budget for next year makes key commitments to children, seniors, and people with disabilities, and to caregivers who look after their loved ones.  (Applause.)  

First, for working families with small children, we’re going to guarantee affordable, quality childcare.  (Applause.)  Most families — under our plan, most families will pay less than $10 a day per child, saving millions of folks as much as $7,000 a year.  That’s a lot of breathing room for a — young families who need it badly.  (Applause.)   

We’ll also restore the expanded Childcare Tax Credit — (applause) — lifting millions of children out of poverty.  And, by the way, this helps the economy.  It doesn’t hurt the — it helps the economy.  (Applause.)

You know, our Republican friends let that expire.  Well, we got to expire a couple of them, politically — (laughter and applause) — in order to get this passed.

Together, we’re going to bring it back.  (Applause.)

Second, seniors and people with disabilities, we’re going to expand Medicaid homecare services and reduce that 700,000-person backlog.  (Applause.)  That’ll mean more folks can live and work in their own communities with dignity and independence.  More homecare workers will start getting a better pay and benefits and dignity they deserve.  (Applause.)

By the way, if anybody is listening besides all of us, we agree on this: This is really — I’m — we’re deadly earnest.  This is not — it’s not a joke.  This matters.  (Applause.)

Third, for everyone caring for a loved one, my budget would finally, finally create a national paid family and medical leave program — finally — (applause) — up to 12 weeks to care for a newborn, a sick on- — a sick loved one, or yourself without losing your income.  (Applause.)

Look, it’s past time America caught up with the rest of the world on paid leave.  (Applause.) 

And, folks, all this helps families, and it grows the economy.  It grows the economy.  And we can afford to do it.  To put another way, we can’t afford not to do it. 

Look, I’m a capitalist.  But I want to make sure that — you know, if you make a million bucks, great.  Just start paying your fair share in taxes.  (Applause.) 

But let me ask you: Does anyone here think the tax code is fair?  Raise your hand.

AUDIENCE:  No!

THE PRESIDENT:  I don’t either.  (Laughter.)

The last administration enacted a $2 trillion tax cut —

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE PRESIDENT:  — overwhelmingly benefiting the very wealthy and the biggest corporations and exploded the federal deficit more than any other president has.  We’ve cut the deficit, by the way.  (Applause.)

It added more to the national debt than any presidential term in history.  And it’s due to expire next year.  And guess what?  I hope to be president because it expires, it’s going to stay expired — (applause) — stay expired. 

Our administration — our administration has already cut the deficit by $1 trillion.  And I’m going to cut it even more this decade by making big corporations and the very wealthy begin to pay their fair share.  (Applause.)

Under my plan, nobody earning less than $400,000 a year will pay an extra penny in taxes.  I don’t — I hope that (inaudible).  (Applause.)

As I’ve made it clear: We’re not trying to beat people — there a- — but there are a thousand billionaires in America — from 750 to 1,000 since the pandemic.  You know what the average tax rate those billionaires pay?  8.2 percent. 

THE PRESIDENT:  No, I’m serious.  Anybody want to trade that tax rate? 

AUDIENCE:  Yes!

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, look, that’s far less than the vast majority of Americans pay.  No billionaire should pay a lower tax rate than a teacher, a firefighter, or a care worker.  (Applause.)

And that’s why I proposed a minimum tax for billionaires of 25 percent.  It’s not even the highest rate — just 25 percent.  And guess what?  It’s more fair.  But it also — guess what it would do over 10 years?  It would raise $500 billion — (applause) — $500 billion.  And it wouldn’t hurt anybody.

I’m a capitalist.  If you make a billion bucks, wonderful.  Pay your fair share.  (Applause.)

Imagine what we can do — imagine what we can do for America.  Look, folks, imagine a future with affordable childcare, homecare, eldercare, paid leave.  

But, folks, our Republican friends have a different vision.  Republicans in the House of Representatives — and, by the way, Rosa DeLauro — she was here, I was told — she’s a hell of a champion for all this.  (Applause.) 

They just released their budget — the Republicans — that cuts caregiving programs by a third — the ones that exist, cuts them by a third.  For example, it would mean 260,000 fewer kids in childcare.  

My predecessor and his MAGA friends want to — I love the phrase — the — the language they use — they want to “terminate” the Affordable Care Act.

THE PRESIDENT:  “Terminate.”  Well, guess what?  Killing millions of Americans — taking them off of healthcare insurance and stripping others of services like homecare.

Folks — and, by the way, you know how many times they’ve tried to take out Obamacare and the Affordable Healthcare Act?  Forty-nine times they’ve tried.  They can keep trying, but they’re not going to get it done.  (Applause.)

And, look, when it comes to Social Security and Medicare, my predecessor recently said, quote, “There’s a lot you can do in terms of cutting.”  God love him. 

Right on cue, House Republicans released their budget that would raise the retirement age in Social Security — the budget they submitted for next year — and slash Medicare, while they cut taxes for the very wealthy again.

I got a better idea.  I’ll protect Social Security and Medicare and make the very wealthy pay their fair share to make it work.  (Applause.) 

Look, let me conclude where I started, by thanking all of you.  As Crystal said, you’re all — and I mean this sincerely — you’re all somebody’s hero. 

That’s what I see in our nation’s caregivers: heroes.  We need you.  Not a joke.  We need you.  (Applause.) 

And together, I know we can do this.  I’ve never been more optimistic about our future.  We just have to remember who we are.  We’re the United States of America.  There’s nothing beyond our capacity — nothing — (applause) — if we do it together.

So, let’s stay work- — get to work, keep working.  And God bless you all.  And may God bless our troops.  Thank you.  (Applause.) 

1:16 P.M. EDT

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