Queen Elizabeth II is addressing the Commonwealth hours before her grandson's much touted interview with Oprah. Photo / Getty
The Queen has spoken out just hours before Meghan's Oprah interview, praising a "dedication to duty" in a Commonwealth Day address alongside other royals on the BBC.
Her Majesty appeared in a special broadcast called A Celebration for Commonwealth Day, which also featured Kate and William, Prince Charles and Camilla and Prince Edward's wife Sophie, the Countess of Wessex.
The hour-long program took place to mark Commonwealth Day on Monday – and comes ahead of Meghan's bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, which airs on CBS in the United States at 8pm-10pm ET on Sunday (12pm-2pm Monday AEDT).
The Queen said in her speech: "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."
The rival broadcasts by the royal family and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex land amid huge controversy over Megan and Harry's decision to give a tell-all interview on Palace life.
Headlines expose Queen's subtle jabs
The UK Telegraph has led with: "Queen stresses importance of family to 'transcend division' in message of unity".
The Sun has gone with "Queen praises nation's 'selfless dedication to duty' as Royals brace themselves for explosive Harry and Meghan interview".
And The Mirror has plumped for "Queen stresses importance of staying in touch with family during 'testing times'".
Sky News and the Daily Mail have both noted that Her Majesty hailed "friendship and unity" in the Commonwealth address.
7.25am: Prince William and Kate's tribute to healthcare workers
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge spoke to "inspirational figures from South Africa, Bangladesh and Malaysia who have been caring for their communities during the pandemic".
Kate noted that there had been a lot of "public recognition" for healthcare workers during the pandemic, but said it was also "sad that it's taken the pandemic" for that to happen.
Prince William said he and Kate, both looking deeply serious for most of their Commonwealth Day broadcast, had spoken to many healthcare workers this year.
They must be feeling incredible strain at this moment, with Meghan's interview only hours away, in which she's expected to discuss her rift with Kate.
The Duchess of Cambridge could reportedly be called to give evidence after former aides claimed she witnessed Meghan's alleged "challenging behaviour" – claims the Duchess of Sussex vehemently denies.
6.50am: Queen's speech in full
In a message to celebrate Commonwealth Day The Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, has paid tribute to communities across the family of nations who've come together in response to the pandemic.
In a message to celebrate #CommonwealthDay The Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, has paid tribute to communities across the family of nations who've come together in response to the pandemic. In a special programme on BBC One today on Sunday 7th March. pic.twitter.com/XYzgo23GBv
— Dickie Arbiter 🇬🇧 (@RoyalDickie) March 7, 2021
6.35am: NZ hailed Covid-19 success story, performance from NZ Youth Choir
New Zealand has been hailed as a Covid-19 success story.
"Different parts of the Commonwealth has had different experiences of Covid-19," the host of The Queen's special Commonwealth Day program announced.
"In New Zealand with low levels of transmission life has continued as normal in many parts of the nation.
This has allowed the New Zealand Youth Choir to keep singing and keep sharing their music.
"They recorded a special Māori song of greeting for us, a call of friendship, despite the distance."
6.30am: Charles calls for us to be 'example to world'
Prince Charles has called on viewers of the royals' special Commonwealth Day program to "offer an example to the world".
He praised environmental projects including green hydrogen in Australia and sustainable shipping in Barbados.
The Prince of Wales said that amidst the "heartbreak" of the pandemic the "extraordinary determination, courage and creativity with which people have responded has been an inspiration to us all".
The royals are clearly aiming for quiet dignity and poise with their COVID-focused broadcast before the Meghan interview, but there are certainly some pointed lines here.
For example: is it any coincidence that the Queen's short speech praised those delivering healthcare and "public services", following the snarky exchange over how to live "a life of service" with the Sussexes.
6.17am: The royal Commonwealth Day broadcast has begun at Westminster Abbey.
The Dean of Westminster David Hoyle said that "distance doesn't stop friendship", adding that "our future is to be together".
He said the Queen, as head of the Commonwealth, regularly reminded us of its values – "loyalty and friendship and a commitment to peace and to freedom".
The Queen said today was an opportunity to "reflect on an experience like no other", highlighting "stirring examples of courage, commitment and selfless dedication to duty" that have been demonstrated in every Commonwealth country.
She spoke of online gatherings connecting people despite distance necessitated by COVID-19.
"I hope we shall maintain this renewed sense of community," she said.
Prince Charles has chosen to praise the "remarkable diversity" of the Commonwealth.
He said the pandemic had "robbed countless people of their lives and livelihoods", but hailed the courage and creativity with which people have responded.
He said the pandemic had shown how health and economics are fundamentally connected, speaking of climate change and the loss of biodiversity.
🌍 In this year’s #CommonwealthDay message The Queen
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 7, 2021
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 rival broadcasts by the royal family and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex land amid huge controversy over Megan and Harry's decision to give a tell-all interview on Palace life.
The Duchess of Sussex is also facing allegations of bullying aides during her time as a working royal, which she strenuously denies, with a spokesperson for the couple saying it is "no coincidence that distorted several-year-old accusations aimed at undermining the Duchess are being briefed to the British media shortly before she and the Duke are due to speak openly and honestly about their experience."
Last month, the Sussexes officially stepped back from royal duties, after announcing they were expecting their second child. Meghan has also won a privacy battle against a UK newspaper over a letter she sent her father, Thomas.
The Queen will apparently not be watching the Oprah interview, which courtiers have branded the Sussexes' tell-all chat a "circus" and warned that they are ready to retaliate with new allegations, according to the Times.
In her typically understated style, the monarch is said to be aiming for a "charm offensive" to show that the royal family is "focusing on the big issues", the newspaper reports.
She is expected to hold further official engagements this week, with her broadcast intended to reveal "Her Majesty's lifetime commitment to the Commonwealth", which she has led since 1952, when she was 26.
As well as featuring appearances from senior royals, the BBC programme will include a reflection from British athlete Denise Lewis, a two-time Commonwealth Games champion, and prayers led by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle.
Buckingham Palace said that the Commonwealth theme for 2021 is "Delivering A Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming" – a future Meghan and Harry may not feel quite as connected to as royal sources continue to brief against them.
Black Label Barbeque is a finalist in the Monteith's Wild Food Challenge today.