The speech formed part of a broadcast called ‘A Celebration for Commonwealth Day’ which also featured Prince William and Catherine, Prince Charles and Camilla and Prince Edward’s wife Sophie.
In her address, the Queen spoke of the “selfless dedication to duty” demonstrated during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Whilst experiences of the last year have been different across the Commonwealth, stirring examples of courage, commitment and selfless dedication to duty have been demonstrated in every Commonwealth nation and territory, notably by those working on the frontline who have been delivering healthcare and other public services in their communities,” she said.
🌍 In this year’s #CommonwealthDay message The Queen
pays tribute to the way in which communities across the family of nations have come together in response to the pandemic. pic.twitter.com/rOoUMJLlKg— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 7, 2021
The broadcast replaced the Commonwealth Day church service which is usually held at Westminster Abbey. The service was cancelled this year due to the pandemic.
It comes a year after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s last royal engagement, when the pair attended the service.
The programme aired ahead of Meghan and Harry’s bombshell interview with Winfrey in which a teaser has shown Winfrey say “there is no subject that is off limits”.
In another teaser, Winfrey asks Meghan: “How do you feel about the palace hearing you speak your truth today?”
The Duchess replies: “I don’t know how they could expect that, after all of this time, we would still just be silent if there is an active role that The Firm is playing in perpetuating falsehoods about us.”
