Queen goes on telly, too

Solemn taped special

She kept calm and carried on. Queen Elizabeth II led the royal family’s own TV special Sunday — just hours before Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s explosive Oprah interview aired in the United States — with the monarch praising those committed to a “selfless dedication of duty.”

The queen, 94, did not mention the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in her pre-emptive broadcast.

In the special — titled “A Celebration for Commonwealth Day,” which is Monday — Her Majesty said of the coronavirus pandemic: “We have an opportunity to re- flect on a time like no other,” while hailing “stirring examples of courage, commitment and selfless dedication to duty.”

“We have all continued to appreciate the support, breadth of experiences and knowledge that working together brings,” she said.

“And I hope we shall maintain this renewed sense of closeness and community.

“Looking forward, relationships with others across the commonwealth will remain important as we strive to deliver a common future that is sustainable and more secure, so that the nations and neighborhoods in which we live, wherever they are located, become healthier and happier places for us all.”

Prince Charles, joined by fellow royals, including his eldest son and heir, Prince William, paid televised tribute to the courage shown by people throughout the commonwealth in response to the pandemic.

“Amidst such heartbreaking suffering, however, the extraordinary determination, courage and creativity with which people have responded has been an inspiration to us all,” Charles said.

The family’s pretaped message — airing in the United Kingdom eight hours before the Oprah special premiered on CBS in the United States — was immediately followed by a performance of the Bob Marley classics “One Love” and “Three Little Birds,” with the latter’s fitting refrain: “Don’t worry ’bout a thing, ’cause every little thing’s gonna be all right.”

Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan are remaining in their swanky mansion in California and have apparently “cheesed off” the monarchy with their Oprah tell-all, as a Sunday Times report described the situation.

Buckingham Palace has said the date for the airing of the Commonwealth Day event was set “weeks ago,” according to Vanity Fair.

Oprah Winfrey revealed in mid-February she was interviewing Meghan and Harry.

The Oprah interview won’t air in the UK until Monday night.