Coronavirus: Queen's speech to the nation watched by 24 million

The Queen's speech to the nation on Sunday evening over the ongoing coronavirus pandemic was seen by around a staggering 24 million viewers.

The figures take into account the broadcasts on BBC One, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5, as well as those on the BBC News Channel and Sky News.

It comes as Boris Johnson's address to the UK on Monday 23 March was watched by nearly 28 million people, putting it ahead of many famous broadcasts including the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the London Olympics in 2012.

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During the broadcast, the Prime Minister announced strict new measures as a tighter lockdown was set in place in order to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Of the 23.97 million people who tuned in to watch the Queen over the 4 minute and 30 second broadcast, 14.06 million of those were watching on BBC One, while 5.1 million watched on ITV.

In total, it took an 80% share of the total audience.

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The Queen expressed thanks for key workers in her message, noting "every hour" of work "brings us closer to a return to more normal times".

The monarch shared: "While we have faced challenges before, this one is different.

"This time we join with all nations across the globe in a common endeavour, using the great advances of science and our instinctive compassion to heal. We will succeed - and that success will belong to every one of us.

"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."

It was the fifth time the Queen addressed the nation outside of her annual Christmas Day speech.