Hours before a US interview of grandson Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle with interviewer Oprah Winfrey is scheduled to air, Queen Elizabeth II on Sunday, while celebrating Commonwealth Day, and called for “deeper appreciation of the mutual support and spiritual sustenance” for each other during the COVID-19 pandemic, reports Reuters. 

The Queen called for Commonwealth unity amid the ongoing pandemic and dedicated her Commonwealth Day speech to the nations, mainly from the former British empire who maintain links with the UK. 

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“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,” she said, quoted Reuters. 

The message by the Queen aired hours before Harry and Meghan’s interview is scheduled to release. Prince Charles, Prince William and other royals on Commonwealth Day also broadcast a tribute to the courage shown by people amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The Royal Family attend an annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in London in March, however, the programme this year was cancelled due to the pandemic.