Queen makes rare political intervention over Brexit

The monarch said the country should focus on 'speaking well of each other and respecting different points of view'

The Queen made a rare political intervention in a speech on Thursday. Speaking at an event commemorating the centenary of the Sandringham Women's Institute, of which she is the president, Her Majesty returned to the theme of her Christmas Day message, emphasising the importance of consensus and respect. It's the second time within a month the Queen has spoken on the need for tolerance, She said: "Reflecting on a century of change, it is clear that the qualities of the WI endure. "The continued emphasis on patience, friendship, a strong community focus, and considering the needs of others, are as important today as they were when the group was founded all those years ago. "Of course, every generation faces fresh challenges and opportunities. "As we look for new answers in the modern age, I for one prefer the tried and tested recipes, like speaking well of each other and respecting different points of view; coming together to seek out the common ground; and never losing sight of the bigger picture. "To me, these approaches are timeless, and I commend them to everyone." During the EU referendum campaign, The Sun ran a front page claiming that the Queen supported Brexit. Her intervention comes as the UK sits 64 days away from departure without a withdrawal agreement reached.