1992: Queen Elizabeth II's Famous "Annus Horribilis" Speech

On 24 November 1992, Queen Elizabeth II made an unprecedented plea for sympathy in a speech made at a Corporation of London lunch to mark her reign of 40 years. In the speech, the Queen spoke of 1992 as being an "annus horribilis" - Latin for "horrible year" - and asked for moderation and good humour from the press when the monarchy was being criticised. She did, however, acknowledge the value and legitimacy of public scrutiny of the Monarchy.
1992 was indeed a difficult year for the Queen and the Monarchy more broadly: A fire destroyed part of Windsor Castle, both Prince Charles and Prince Andrew announced they were separating from their respective partners, Princess Anne announced her divorce, and the very public breakdown of the marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana made the entire Royal Family the subject of relentless media scrutiny.
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[@whocares_bear]

You can hear the pain and exhaustion in her voice. Her speech came from an authentic place.

[@hinaakhtar115]

Anyone here from The Crown 😊

[@jimmykross9409]

Yes, me! Imelda NAILED it, didn't she...👌👌

[@hinaakhtar115]

@@jimmykross9409 Omg yess! She sure did. Love the whole cast! The actors playing Charles & Diana are amazing! ♥️

[@gray3132]

😂 indeed

[@jimmykross9409]

I suppose you are watching it right now, like me?😅😅

[@hinaakhtar115]

@@jimmykross9409 On episode 6 🥳🥳

[@richardmaddocks4243]

This was a masterful speech, full of euphemism, metaphor, warmth and some very smart humour.

[@erracht]

Indeed. "Nineteen ninety-two is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure."--> What a wonderfully proper British euphemistic formulation.

[@321doucheface]

i do much prefer warmth when im having an annus horribilis

[@langstrassbro]

It was total bullshit

[@Eyelash85]

This speech was more heartfelt and human than its version in 'The Crown'. She probably would be an amazing person to be acquainted with if not for her position.

[@zacmumblethunder7466]

If not for her position she would probably have pursued her childhood ambition to be a farmer's wife.

[@Zadir09]

⁠which is literally what makes a good Sovereign. One who can bind the fringes of society together by living the strange lives they do. The more I learn of UK history the worse I feel for them.

[@ChadMichaelSimon]

1952. 1992. 2022. To think, this speech came 40 years into her reign with 30 years ahead of her. I’m thankful for The Crown inviting all of us to these moments. Sure, the show might not be 100% historically accurate, but it’s a masterful poem. And when is history ever 100% accurate? A 30-year-old clip brought tears to my eyes and many profound passages that are as relevant today as they were then.

[@thesniperabel8278]

God any year ending in 2 is bad for their family

[@samsonadeyemi2169]

1952 her father the king died 1992 annus horriblis 2002 her sister Margaret and mother died 2022 she died Every year ending with a 2 was really a bad year for the family tbh

[@salmanhzn07]

@@samsonadeyemi2169 don't forget about 1972 too, her uncle Edward VIII was died at the time

[@thesniperabel8278]

I don’t think his death hit them severly because he basically killed her father by abdicating and his nazi ties embarrassed them deeply

[@trobinski1842]

She. Is. So. Good. God save the queen!!!!

[@tommyarthurso3785]

Finally got to hear the whole script of the 1992 speech for which I've been searching for years. I can feel the frustration and modesty of the Queen.

[@RobertaBriffa]

You can also find the transcript of this speech on the Royal Family's website.

[@rossjohnson-pullin5633]

Regardless of the Queen’s status, doesn’t make her exempt from being allowed to have feelings and have a bad year. This makes me miss her even more.

[@cocomajoko1]

Who is here because of the crown!

[@MrJason005]

I'm just here because I'm approaching the threshold where I can apply for British Citizenship

[@VenosEvans]

We all are

[@WWIzd]

When your house burns down and your kids are embarrassing you, yeah, it’ll be a horrible year. Queen doesn’t deserve any criticism. She did her best to uphold that family and institution despite the repeated scandals threatening to burn it all down. Lilibet will always have my utmost respect. A boss Queen for all ages.

[@Kfrischman7766]

Yes!!!

[@MPV919]

She is dead and still embarrassing her….how England people tolerate that kind of king??? They deserve much better than a mistress and a tampon

[@cooks37]

She deserves all the criticism. She caused every problem in that family, because "muh traditions".

[@HK-gm8pe]

yeah but monarchy should have ended iwith her also people have their homes burn down everyday...and they go homeless why would I feel sympathy for a quee whos CASTLE burned partly down and who had many other castles togo to? queenand nowCharles were homosapens just like us...who are they taht they think of themselves soo much more? Yeah I am an history student but I think that in modern world we dont need monarchies anymore , celebrtites have replacd them....and they are sufficating enough

[@hotwax9376]

She had multiple houses, and Windsor Castle didn't burn down; it was just damaged by the fire.

[@terrytrammell7388]

I can hardly remember a time when Elizabeth wasn’t the Queen. I was in elementary school when she became Queen. She was truly a great leader and an amazing Diplomat. Even though I’m an American I loved the Queen, I respected her as Britain’s Queen and as a steadying hand for the world. I’m deeply saddened by the world’s loss. We need good leaders who have no self serving agenda. Queen Elizabeth truly served her people without being self serving.

[@Dan.Dawson]

This speech from 1992 could be applied to many things, including our internet based debates. The Queen saying that discord is healthy, but it must be done with understanding and a touch of gentleness and good humour. This is the Queen speaking of these unwritten British values.

[@J1R629]

Still feels weird that she is gone. As an American, no matter the circumstances and changes in the world, the one constant that my generation and many generations knew of was the Queen Of England.

[@knownothing5518]

Very carefully chosen words.

[@debbiedobles40]

Queen Elizabeth II is irreplaceable 😢 God Bless the Queen 👸🏻

[@gymbuddy32]

Every monarch is replaceable. The monarch is a role, not a person and the principle of it rests on continuity.

[@debbiedobles40]

@@gymbuddy32 yes it is a role but as a human being she is revered, respected and missed. She was a constant presence during my lifetime.

[@gymbuddy32]

@@debbiedobles40 Yes, a constant presence while she was alive. When she came to the throne in 1952 people would have said her father was irreplaceable, and the same of his brother before him and their father before both of them. It's a tired, meaningless sentiment people like you roll out when you've nothing of any real substance to say. The only reason she is missed is because she was around for a long time and we were used to her. Unfortunately, I did not know her as a 'human' being, perhaps you did and therefore have more of an insight. I only knew her as a monarch and our head of state.

[@debbiedobles40]

@@gymbuddy32 it’s sad 😞 I will miss not seeing her 👸🏼 can’t wait for this year’s Christmas speech🤴🏻

[@BlackWolf6420]

Wrong! She might have been a good monarch but that way you close the door for someone even better!

[@maximillianrockefeller8375]

THIS is why she was a great Queen.

[@samsonadeyemi2169]

1952 her father the king died 1992 annus horriblis 2002 her sister Margaret and mother died 2022 she died Every year ending with a 2 was really a bad year for the family tbh they have my sympathy

[@shaider1982]

Well, by 1982, they won a war.

[@jrh0967]

@@shaider1982but Margaret thatcher was in Downing Street so hardly gonna be a good year

[@mycinematicworld1471]

Miss you my Queen! You will always be inspiring to the future generations.❤

[@charlesmorland750]

Brilliant and Excellent speech by Queen Elizabeth ii of great value to Britain, the world within mortal life with every so often a touch of jest and mentioning the "Annus Horribilis" year and stressing the point of agreement with Queen Victoria of "Moderation in all things". Queen Elizabeth covered so many matters within one speech also mentioning a 'touch of gentleness' and stability. The Queen extended such words of warmth and gratitude.

[@janetclaireSays]

Queen Elizabeth II was a remarkable human being.

[@InSimonated]

If 4:45 to 6:56 of this speech are not a call-back, and the final moments of Netflix's "The Crown", they'll have missed a trick. Beautifully said, Your Majesty. RIP.

[@DavidBerto]

The Crown brought me here. 👑

[@michaelross9365]

In watching this speech, one can see why she is being referred to as Elizabeth the Great.

[@rosedalton442]

Ma'am, how we miss you! I remember when she made this speach. No one could turn a phase like her! God rest her soul. And God save the King!

[@gustavoamorim5189]

Amen

[@trobinski1842]

What a woman!!! What a human!!!! God save the queen! There will never be another such as her in our lifetime!

[@annewilson4404]

My Queen Elizabeth 11 was so witty and fantastic in everything she did God bless her

[@ABC-by2kq]

Just as a point of interest it's ii or II not 11

[@keitaamara7985]

Rest in peace the biggest Queen.🙏🏼

[@tulangkerangka1599]

This year is THE annus horribilis for me, everything that can go wrong go wrong and people leave me left and right

[@TAJ1974]

Hope it gets better for you 🙏🏻

[@paleobc65]

My annus horribillis was 2016 and 2018

[@myamdane6895]

I hope things have gotten better since

[@jasmineboone4658]

God I miss her so much!! 😭

[@jbsarmiento9703]

God rest your soul Your Majesty 🙏🏾

[@popcult]

A magnificent leader and perfect human being she was.

[@trobinski1842]

Absolutely perfect comment and Amen to you, yes.

[@nallo69]

The “Annus Horribilis” was first used by the Late Queen Victoria. Not in latín but in English in the XIx century

[@1aikane]

A great Queen. Will miss you always

[@jameshiawo2771]

The glasses guy looks just like him

[@ewanoxborrow1024]

You mean the Prime Minister, John Major?

[@riff2072]

How else would he look like other than himself.

[@younesskhazzar]

الملكة الجميلة الحكيمة ❤

[@LoveLady-wn3eg]

A beautiful speech. Couldn't help noticing, and hearing the Queen's slightly hoarse voice tone, like she was just recovering from having been sick with bronchitis, or a flu?

[@RobertK1993]

4 months before I was born.

[@BlackWolf6420]

Just finished the 5th season of the crown 👑… yesssssss 🙌🏻

[@waltermartinezfuentes9470]

Quien viene a ver esto después de ver The Crown 😍?

[@jeremymaceres1998]

Came here because of The Crown anyone else did?

[@seanswart8102]

Loved it... loved it!

[@sazfretz1945]

I know how she felt. 1992 was my first "annus horribilis" because my oldest sister died on 3 January that year.

[@lisaa234]

Here after watching ep4 of the crown s5

[@XiaoChuaHistorian]

I was always wondering watching the clips before why they laughed when she said it was a horrible year.

[@jamesjoyceseah2303]

My queen

[@philipc67]

Terrific speech, regal majesty combined with human warmth. Imelda Staunton, despite her dumpy look, has some good moments in Season 5 of The Crown (which of course must be taken with a large grain of salt because of its historical inaccuracies and fictional episodes) but I think they got Diana all wrong: too tall, bony and gauche, almost a caricature.

[@MarcoArgon]

Queen: a People: 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@Vack91]

Great speech. I wonder what did Mayor say to her at the end. 🤔💭

[@latinmasschoir5581]

oh, how we miss this dear lady

[@baliatodaicoi2454]

Con la voce commossa e turbata, dice parole che lasciano il segno nella nostra anima. Don Floriano Pellegrini

[@VenosEvans]

1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure, she sounded Scottish somehow. When she said that.

[@THESHADOWATCHER]

@2:46 that is the spot

[@LiamLikesYoutube]

yeah it was 30 F**KING YEARS AGO

[@dahomiee]

This speech will be tempus fugit

[@whocares_bear]

Every year is getting shorter, never seem to find the time Plans that either come to naught or half a page of scribbled lines Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way The time is gone, the song is over, thought I'd something more to say

[@jamesb6080]

It's a shame what the city of London today 2022 has turned into... It's a hell hole now.

[@georgecalvintharcisius586]

Oh my God the Queen sounds veryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy saddddddddd 😭😭😭😭😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔

[@jasonskerritt5258]

Had a bit of a Sore throat

[@DavidBerto]

Yes, because of the fire (and smoke) at Windsor

[@stevena.2306]

here after the crown season 5 episode 2

[@norina195]

Anyone here after hearing the news?

[@vvyyzvv]

2:45 youre welcome

[@Degjoy]

I am very against the Royal Family but I thought the Queen spoke beautifully here.

[@MJ-qb5ph]

God the queen had an awful family

[@smmukarramjahan]

She was still struggling with her voice in the speech due to all the smoke she had inhaled during the fire at Windsor

[@pudinxd6428]

Ahoraa este discurso salio en the crown 5

[@reuterromain1054]

I miss her. She was irreplaceable.

[@2003BMW325i]

She just got a verbal beatdown from the Queen mother directly before this so she probably is off a little bit

[@BloodMoonASMR]

2:30

[@solaikrishnavenivijayakuma8443]

30 years 16 days archived

[@MrCarlSir]

Was there a backstory to her reference to the Mayor's wife? Had she been unwell or was it just a customary inclusion?

[@MianMoeedAhmed]

Here Queen Elizabeth is 66 years old but looking like 46 years old

[@crackfare1989]

Ate too much taco bell and the same title was given for the speech coming out the other end.

[@visascheck4696]

Who is this Santa Claus seated to the right of Mrs Whatshername ?

[@UnovanEmperorArcanine89]

My annus Horribilis? Twenty Twenty One 2021.

[@MJ-qb5ph]

Mine was 2014 - God it was hideous

[@trobinski1842]

God she's good...

[@orion8835]

This entire speech was so ridiculous. At the time it was considered absurd and preachy. A way for the Queen to try to jolly up the utter nightmare that was the Windsor family at that time. She was so sweet, humorous and poised. She excelled at diplomatic manipulation via these sorts of speeches. The lessons carefully hidden within so well. However with the hoarse throat she did sound somewhat defeated. Yet she strangely seemed very girlish and vulnerable in this. It is clear she was from all accounts very girlish. A very difficult life.

[@karemaykojella6006]

Annus horribilis Yeah because it was pain in the ass

[@Kondasnaker]

💖❤️💖

[@p1rgit]

i wonder if any body was so naughty as to make...er... This joke? Sir Terry Pratchett did, much later, but i mean, nearer to that year? somewhere. y'know, that one: 'annus horribilis' translates as 'horrible year'. 'anus horribilis' does not. i think that Prince Philip might have thought about it, but almost sure even he did not voice it. at least not near any mass media.

[@antoniosinisterra6807]

🙏🙏🇬🇧❤️

[@AndreaCandido-tp4kk]

... no iDEA whaTs,about year 19 92? in our life was no FirE CaThasTrophe never

[@vhscopyofrainman163]

Annus Horribilis is how I feel after taco bell

[@saad2fan161]

Contrôle

[@mtmadigan82]

I don't see the big deal. I got some antibiotics for both times and it cleared right up.

[@Martin-sp4zf]

Did she have piles? I've had them and they are horrible.

[@JanakaSuranga-we4qm]

Rajina nisa rathu hattakaare nattya hadunaa milano nariyakugaa unaa milano nariyaa midhiabulai kiyalaa kwuvata midhi abull naha thalavila anaa innava valahak naha

[@barbaraporter8652]

Detroit, Michigan. U SA No , but really we are most geographically located on the average mind & ar a sh^ton the s a me

[@user-sy9ev8hh5k]

2:45 notice how they chuckled when she said the phrase cuz it sounded just like the word "anus".

[@odnaZCS]

They laughed because of the meaning of the phrase not because of it sounding like another word lmao

[@olivia-performanceartist3693]

Queen complaining about her first world problems.

[@ri8255]

You must have comprehension issues. She's not complaining. She never did.

[@olivia-performanceartist3693]

@@ri8255 are you okay?

[@OffGridInvestor]

It was a CRAP year for her full of scandals and embarrassment. You've likely got zero clue on the protocols and the fact she was meant to be the face of AN EMPIRE which at that time still technically existed for a further 6 years. She wasn't complaining, she was APOLOGISING. Its obvious you've got no idea what led up to this speech. Besides, she's got to give several speeches yearly, required by tradition. Technically the royal in power STILL runs the country/empire DIRECTLY but hands over that power to parliament. And there's a yearly process for that too.

[@HiệpTrần-d5r]

Nữ hoàng ll kiên cường kiên định với niềm tim HiepHiep ❤🎉 AMEN

[@AlinaIatagan-ou1zx]

Price Phillip and I..?

[@AlinaIatagan-ou1zx]

Nici aici nu văd bine ?!

[@radenmas7594]

2:45