THE Queen had a secret speech prepared in case World War 3 broke out, startling papers from 1983 have revealed.
During one of the most fraught Cold War periods, the monarch was prepared to address the nation in the event of nuclear conflict.
What does the Queen's secret speech for World War 3 say?
In the script for the hypothetical broadcast, it is stated that Queen Elizabeth would describe the threat to our "brave country" as "greater" than any other in history.
It also pays homage to the Queen's son, Prince Andrew, who was serving in the Royal Navy at the time.
The speech, which was devised by Whitehall officials but never recorded, has recently been released by the government under the 30-year rule.
It was drawn up as part of a war-gaming exercise in the spring of 1983, which assessed and prepared for potential scenarios.
The script was written with a mind to it being broadcast by The Queen at midday on Friday 4 March, 1983, to prepare the country for World War III.
It begins by referring to her festive address the previous December, before going on to explain that "the horrors of war could not have seemed more remote as my family and I shared our Christmas joy with the growing family of the Commonwealth".
The address continues: "Now, this madness of war is once more spreading through the world and our brave country must again prepare itself to survive against great odds.
"I have never forgotten the sorrow and the pride I felt as my sister and I huddled around the nursery wireless set listening to my father's [George VI's] inspiring words on that fateful day in 1939 [at the start of World War II].
"Not for a single moment did I imagine that this solemn and awful duty would one day fall to me.
"But whatever terrors lie in wait for us all, the qualities that have helped to keep our freedom intact twice already during this sad century will once more be our strength.
"My husband and I share with families up and down the land the fear we feel for sons and daughters, husbands and brothers who have left our side to serve their country.
"My beloved son Andrew is at this moment in action with his unit and we pray continually for his safety and for the safety of all servicemen and women at home and overseas.
"It is this close bond of family life that must be our greatest defence against the unknown.
"If families remain united and resolute, giving shelter to those living alone and unprotected, our country's will to survive cannot be broken."
It concludes by saying the Queen's message to the nation was "simple", adding: "As we strive together to fight off the new evil, let us pray for our country and men of goodwill wherever they may be. God Bless you all."
Why was the speech prepared?
At this time, tensions were rife between the Soviet Union and the United States.
On August 30, 1983, Soviet jet fighters intercepted a Korean Airlines passenger flight in Russian airspace and shot it down, killing all 269 on board.
A nuclear war with the Soviet Union was almost triggered two months later when an annual Nato military exercise - code-named Able Archer - was perceived to be a genuine attack.
As the Cold War came to an end, the Soviet Union and the United States later negotiated a reduction in the number of nuclear weapons.
Could World War Three actually happen?
Tensions between the US and North Korea are said to be the most serious threat to world peace.
The US ambassador to the UN told an emergency Security Council meeting North Korea is "begging for war" and called for "the strongest possible measures".
Trump has threatened military action and warned North Korea it faces "total annihilation" if it threatens the US or its allies, Japan and South Korea.
But defiant Kim Jong-un has previously boasted of bringing about a "miserable end" to America.
He has threatened to launch rockets at US Pacific island Guam and moved fighter jets to the coast to intercept US bombers after accusing Trump of declaring war.
It is impossible to say with any certainty who would win a conflict, particularly if other world superpowers were dragged into the battle.