Queen praises ‘dedication to duty’ in C’wealth Day address
LONDON: Queen Elizabeth II on Sunday spoke of the importance of “dedication to duty” in a television address hours before the screening of US chat show host Oprah Winfrey’s eagerlyanticipated interview with Prince Harry and his American wife Meghan.
The speech by the British monarch during a Commonwealth Day Service comes ahead of the airing of the tell-all interview which has opened a rift between the Buckingham Palace and the USbased couple.
In the pre-recorded message from London’s Westminster Abbey, where last year at the same service Meghan and Harry made their last appearance before giving up royal duties, the queen praises those across the commonwealth who have put others first during the 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,” she said.
“The testing times experienced by so many have led to a deeper appreciation of mutual support and spiritual sustenance we enjoy by being connected to others,” she added at the event celebrating the commonwealth, an association of nations from the former British Empire.
Harry and Meghan, who have relocated to California, agreed last month they would not return to their roles as senior royals.
The issue of service and duty became a point of contention as Meghan and Harry severed ties. They said in a statement last month: “We can all live a life of service. Service is universal.”
Last month, Buckingham Palace said the couple had confirmed they would not “continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service”.
Ahead of the queen’s address, other senior royals — Prince Charles, the heir to the throne, his eldest son William and their wives Camilla and Kate — paid tribute to the world’s frontline workers during the Covid outbreak in a series of special video clips. — AFP