Jonathan Van Ness tearfully watching the Queen’s coronavirus address is the most ambitious crossover event in history
Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness watched the Queen’s speech on the coronavirus pandemic. (BBC and Don Arnold/WireImage)
The Queen urged the nation to tackle coronavirus “together” in only her fifth special televised address during her 68-year reign.
But it wasn’t just her British subjects who found comfort in “the country’s reassuring gran telling us it’s going to be OK”.
Queen’s speech was rather excellent, wasn’t it? The country’s reassuring gran telling us it’s going to be ok.
— Alex Goy (@A1GOY) April 6, 2020
Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness, who came out as non-binary last year and uses he/him pronouns, posted on Twitter to tell his followers that he was watching the Queen’s speech live.
His tweet was accompanied by a gif of himself looking adoring and tearful.
Watching the queens speech pic.twitter.com/ixGcD98PW3— Jonathan Van Ness (@jvn) April 5, 2020
Before the speech, jokes were made online about whether the speech would be relevant to the public.
One person wrote on Twitter: “Can’t wait for the Queen’s speech tonight. I’m hoping she tells us we’re all in this together as she sits at her desk made from unicorns and gold while her butler dressed in a diamond encrusted hazmat suit spoon feeds her swan risotto. God bless her.”
However, while many on social media were disappointed that “the Queen’s speech wasn’t about the monarchy being overthrown”, even those who disagree with the Royal Family were appreciative of the message.
disappointing the queen’s speech wasn’t about the monarchy being overthrown— Katie (@katie_uske) April 5, 2020
In her speech, the Queen said: “We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return.
“We will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again.”
The moving line, which made even staunch anti-monarchists emotional, prompted many to use the hashtag #WeWillMeetAgain.
#WeWillMeetAgain pic.twitter.com/70GHxGoWtf— Mark Wallace (@wallaceme) April 5, 2020
Comedian Rob Delaney wrote on Twitter: “I’m anti-monarchy but the Queen’s speech yesterday was good/inspiring simply because she’s 93 and remembers WWII, creation of NHS and much more.
“Old people provide perspective and we must love, respect and shield them from coronavirus, fire ants and Nazis.”
I’m anti-monarchy but the Queen’s speech yesterday was good/inspiring simply because *SHE’S 93* & remembers WWII, creation of NHS & much more. Old ppl provide perspective & we must love, respect & shield them from coronavirus, fire ants & nazis.
—-
*join a union & Labour🧚🏻♂️
— rob delaney (@robdelaney) April 6, 2020
Another Twitter user wrote: “Even as a staunch republican, very much in favour of ending the monarchy, I cannot help but respect and like Liz.”
Even as a staunch republican, very much in favour of ending the monarchy, I cannot help but respect and like Liz.— Jason (@NickMotown) April 5, 2020
As well as watching the Queen’s speech, Van Ness recently shared his top tip for giving yourself a haircut during coronavirus quarantine: Just don’t.
Elsewhere, Van Ness’ Queer Eye castmate Antoni Porowski is one of a host of LGBT+ stars who is appearing in a new Quibi show.
