The Queen expresses her fears in her Commonwealth Day message today about the threat to world peace posed by the rise of Islamist fundamentalism, according to a senior source.
In a broadcast to be sent around the world, she appears to imply that Islamist extremism is one of the greatest menaces of the past 60 years.
She argues that the best way for democracy to defend itself is through the Commonwealth’s values of “mutual co-operation and understanding”.
“It seems to me that now, in the second decade of the 21st century, what we share through being members of the Commonwealth is more important and worthy of protection than perhaps at any other time in the Commonwealth’s existence,” she says.
“We are guardians of a precious flame and it is our duty not only to keep it burning brightly, but to keep it replenished for the decades ahead.”
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While the Queen does not mention any groups or countries by name, a source confirmed that her communiqué was prompted by concerns over the violence and intolerance fostered by groups such as Islamic State. Royal sources, however, refused to say what the Queen meant by her reference to the current decade, adding that her words “speak for themselves”.
The Queen’s message comes as it is announced that she and Prince Charles will attend the Commonwealth heads of government meeting in Malta in November.
Her speech today, will be broadcast on radio throughout the Commonwealth’s 53 member countries, as well as at a service marking the occasion at Westminster Abbey due to be attended by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
In it she says: “One simple lesson from history is that when people come together to talk, to exchange ideas and to develop common goals, wonderful things can happen.
“So many of the world’s greatest technological and industrial achievements have begun as partnerships between families, countries and even continents.
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“But, as we are often reminded, the opposite can also be true. When common goals fall apart, so does the exchange of ideas.
“And if people no longer trust or understand each other, the talking will soon stop too.”
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