The Queen has spoken of the power of light over darkness in her first Easter message in which she also said that coronavirus "will not overcome us".

Referring to church closures across the country, the 93-year-old monarch remarked that Christians would normally be lighting candles together but were prevented from doing so this year because of the coronavirus lockdown.  

"Many religions have festivals which celebrate light overcoming darkness. Such occasions are often accompanied by the lighting of candles," she said.

"They seem to speak to every culture, and appeal to people of all faiths, and of none. They are lit on birthday cakes and to mark family anniversaries, when we gather happily around a source of light. It unites us.

"As darkness falls on the Saturday before Easter Day, many Christians would normally light candles together. In church, one light would pass to another, spreading slowly and then more rapidly as more candles are lit.

"It's a way of showing how the good news of Christ's resurrection has been passed on from the first Easter by every generation until now."

She went on to say that the different way of doing things this year did not mean that Easter was "cancelled" and that rather the holiest day in the Christian calendar was needed "as much as ever". 

"This year, Easter will be different for many of us but by keeping apart we keep others safe. But Easter isn't cancelled; indeed, we need Easter as much as ever," she said.

"The discovery of the risen Christ on the first Easter Day gave his followers new hope and fresh purpose, and we can all take heart from this.

"We know that Coronavirus will not overcome us. As dark as death can be – particularly for those suffering with grief – light and life are greater. May the living flame of the Easter hope be a steady guide as we face the future."

It is the second time in the last week that the Queen has issued a message of hope to the nation. 

Last week, she reflected on the way in which many people were drawing on prayer during the pandemic. 

In a spirited address, she said that "better days will return" and that "we will meet again". 

"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," she said.

"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."