Last week, a video was released of Kate Middleton and Prince William's three children (Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis) participating in the "Applaud the Caregivers" movement in the UK to thank health care workers in the midst of the coronavirus epidemic. The video was intended to be cute to the max and succeeded well enough, but it also had a practical element: despite their young age, the three young royals are out there working to support and cheer up the nation in the midst of a crisis. And that is exactly the same kind of thing the Queen did when she was growing up in the midst of World War II.

As reported by People (opens in new tab), Queen Elizabeth (then Princess Elizabeth) gave her first speech in 1940 when she was only 14 years old (as a teenager, I would not have been able to handle such a responsible task). She was joined by her sister Margaret, who was 10 at the time.

In her speech, Elizabeth said, "Thousands of you in this country had to leave your homes and your fathers and mothers. My sister Margaret Rose and I feel very sorry for you, as we know from experience what it is like to be separated from those you love most."

The would-be monarch added: "We will all be together in the end. We all know that everything will work out in the end. And when peace comes, remember that it is we, the children of today, who will make the world a better and happier place tomorrow." (George, Charlotte, and Louis (ages 6, 4, and almost 2, respectively) are still too young to give speeches, but they are taking on the roles and responsibilities of royalty. I look forward to the day when we will see more of the children, but first let them grow up to be very normal.

Here is the Queen's full speech:

And George, Charlotte, and Louis are clapping for the medical workers:

Divine. The way Louis glances up to make sure he is not the only one clapping is truly me every day.

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