Queen Elizabeth II addressed the whole world in a pre-recorded message in line with the Commonwealth Day celebration hours before Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s interview on BBC on Sunday, March 7.
A video message of the 94-year-old monarch was released online and also aired on BBC. The video featured the queen walking and then a footage of masked medical frontliners and schoolchildren in Commonwealth nations filled the screen while her voice-over could be heard in the background.
The queen said, “Over the coming week, as we celebrate our friendship, spirit in unity and achievements of the Commonwealth, we have an opportunity to reflect on a time like no other. 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. We have also taken encouragement from remarkable advances in developing new vaccines and treatments.”
She continued, “The need to maintain greater physical distance, or to live and work largely in isolation, has, for many people across the Commonwealth, been an unusual experience. In our everyday lives, we have had to become more accustomed to connecting and communicating via innovative technology—which has been new to some of us—with conversations and communal gatherings, including Commonwealth meetings, conducted online, enabling people to stay in touch with friends, family, colleagues and counterparts, who they have not been able to meet in person.”
The queen added, “Increasingly, we have found ourselves able to enjoy such communication, as it offers an immediacy that transcends boundaries or division, helping any sense of distance to disappear. We have all continued to appreciate the support, breadth of experiences and knowledge that working together brings, and I hope we shall maintain this renewed sense of closeness and community.”
Her pre-recorded televised address came a few hours before the sit-down interview of Meghan and Prince Harry and a few days after the Buckingham Palace’s announcement that it will take the necessary action on the alleged bullying claims of royal staffers by the Duchess of Sussex.
Meanwhile, the queen’s TV message came amid Prince Philip’s recent hospitalization. He had heart surgery last week.
