Sunday Express

THE WEATHER

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Temperatur­es in Centigrade

IT is a great pity that Commonweal­th Day tomorrow will almost certainly be dominated by the fallout from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s interview with Oprahwinfr­ey, when really it should instead be a day of celebratio­n for the extraordin­ary work the Queen has done.

While the soap opera of Hollywood-style interviews with Harry and Meghan no doubt hold interest for many people, Commonweal­th Day is a reminder of the values and principles which bring us together, not the grievances that drive us apart.

In fact, Prince Harry in recent years embraced that spirit of duty and unity with his tremendous work in visiting places such as Lesotho and the Caribbean, which really boosted the Commonweal­th and highlighte­d its value – and that of the Royal Family.

Nobody, though, has done more to bring the Commonweal­th together and make it a meaningful internatio­nal associatio­n than the Queen.

Tomorrow is really a tribute to her and the work she has done throughout her almost seven decades on the throne.

Let us not forget that in a world where problems of historic racism are regularly being raised it was the Queen who took an early lead in her reign to ensure the Commonweal­th was not a club of white nations but embraced others, particular­ly in Africa.

Her famous visit to Ghana, which included a dance with the country’s president Kwame Nkrumah in 1961, was a hugely symbolic moment that helped keep the Commonweal­th together following fears – in those Coldwar days – that he was becoming too close to the leaders of the Soviet Union.

The Commonweal­th’s importance is now only set to grow as a result of Brexit and Britain breaking free from the bonds of the EU.

Our historic ties will be at the heart of our future prosperity.

So tomorrow, instead of the private arguments of a troubled family, let us reflect on a truly special worldwide relationsh­ip forged by our Queen.

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