The Queen sends her ‘best wishes’ to mark the 75th year of the BBC’s Woman’s Hour and thanks the show for playing a ‘significant part in the evolving role of women across society’
- Her Majesty, 94, sent message to mark 75th year of the BBC’s Woman’s Hour
- Told how it ‘played a significant part in evolving role of women across society’
- Wished the show ‘continued success’ in important work as advocate to women
The Queen has sent her ‘best wishes’ to mark the 75th year of the BBC’s Woman’s Hour – before thanking the show for its ‘important work’ as an ‘advocate to women everywhere.’
In a special recorded message, Her Majesty, 94, said: ‘As you celebrate your 75th year, it is with great pleasure that I send my best wishes to the listeners and all those associated with Woman’s Hour.
During this time, you have witnessed and played a significant part in the evolving role of women across society, both here and around the world.
In this notable anniversary year, I wish you continued success in your important work as a friend, guide and advocate to women everywhere.’
The Queen has recorded a special message to mark the 75th year of the BBC’s Woman’s Hour. Pictured, Her Majesty records her annual Christmas broadcast in Windsor Castle
Emma Barnett (pictured), 35, has taken over the Radio 4 staple, which has aired since 1946
It comes just days after Jane Garvey signed off her final Woman’s Hour broadcast after 13 years – declaring that the ‘show needs to move on and now it can’.
Emma Barnett, 35, has taken take over the Radio 4 staple, which has aired since 1946.
Jane, 56, told listeners: ‘During the course of these cataclysmic years on Woman’s Hour, I’ve learnt that actually, for all sorts of reasons, women have to be that bit better, we have to try harder (than men), it’s going to be a bit tougher for us.’
Dame Jenni Murray, 70, has also left the programme.
After 13 years, broadcaster Jane Garvey (pictured) presented her final instalment of Woman’s Hour on New Year’s Eve
Jane said: ‘It’s not just a radio programme. It’s one of “the” radio programmes and I’ve had a chance to do it. The programme needs to move on and now it can.’
Last month she said it was in danger of focusing on topics such as the transgender debate at the expense of issues that mean most to listeners.
The radio host also said she did not think the audience believed the subject was the ‘most controversial or the most important thing we could be talking about’.
When she was asked by a listener whether it was time to have more interviews with transgender and gender-fluid people on the programme, she replied: ‘Well, in answer to that, over the last couple of years I have interviewed more trans-women than trans-men on Woman’s Hour.
‘So that tells you something and people need maybe to think a little bit about that.’
She added: ‘I have also been called anti-trans and anti-women. I’ve been called too feminist. I’ve been called not feminist enough.’
‘It is genuinely a very, very, difficult area. We are never going to please everybody listening when we talk about it.
‘I’d also have to say from a purely practical perspective, is this the issue that vexes our audience more than any other?
‘Do they think of it as the most controversial or the most important thing we could be talking about? No! I honestly don’t think they do.’