THE Queen will make a rare televised address just hours before Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s explosive tell-all interview with Oprah.
The 94-year-old monarch will address the nation to mark Commonwealth Day on March 7 as the church service has been cancelled due to Covid-19.
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And her address is expected to air on the BBC One on March 7 – just before Meghan and Harry’s tell-all with the queen of American chat shows is aired in the US.
It was last week announced the couple would speak with Oprah in a “wide-ranging interview” that could cover subjects including “life as a Royal, marriage, motherhood”.
The primetime special is expected to air on CBS at 8pm Eastern Standard time on March 7, meaning it will be at 1am the following morning in the UK.
This means the Sussexes’ interview will be aired just hours after the Queen makes her appearance on the nation’s television screens, although it is not yet clear if the interview will be shown in the UK as British broadcasters vie for the rights.
It comes as…
- Harry and Meghan’s Megxit has thrown plans for next year’s Platinum Jubille celebrations into turmoil
- Prince William is said to be “shocked” at Harry and Meghan’s “petulant” response to the Queen over Megxit
- The couple did not tell the Queen about the tell-all interview
- Oprah boarded a £50million jet after filming the bombshell interview with the couple
- The couple may have to re-shoot parts of the chat after being stripped of their royal roles, it was reported
The Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Countess of Wessex will also take part in the Commonwealth Day programme, the Abbey said.
It’s rare for the Queen to make an address to the nation outside of her annual Christmas Day message, last year urging Brits “we’re in this together” as the Covid pandemic unfolded.
The two television specials coincide with one year on from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s final royal engagement in the UK.
The pair attended last year’s Commonwealth Ceremony at Westminster Abbey with the Royal Family with Harry, 36, appearing stoney-faced throughout.
Meghan, 39, left the Abbey and was driven to Heathrow Airport where she flew to Vancouver and has never returned.
Since then, the couple have moved to the US, raising their son Archie at their new £8m Santa Barbara home.
Last week, they announced they were expecting another baby, releasing a photograph of them in black and white sitting under a tree together.
They have also signed multi-million pound deals with both Netflix and Spotify as part of their new life after saying they wanted to be financially independent.
We're really pleased to tell you that @BBCOne will broadcast A Celebration for Commonwealth Day on 7 March. The special programme replaces this year's Commonwealth Day service which is unable to go ahead due to the pandemic, and will include a special message from HM The Queen. pic.twitter.com/FAjfp9EdVH
— Westminster Abbey (@wabbey) February 22, 2021
It has been reported the couple did not tell the Queen about the interview with Oprah – with pals saying “nothing will be off limits” in the chat.
The Queen had offered the couple a 12 month review after they quit the Royal Family but Harry and Meghan last week confirmed they were officially stepping down.
In a statement released moments after Buckingham Palace confirmed the news, they said: “We can all live a life of service. Service is universal.”
Harry and Meghan’s decision puts extra strain on the family when 99-year-old Prince Philip is in hospital after feeling unwell – with Harry believed to be isolating in the US so he can return to the UK if needed.
In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have confirmed to Her Majesty The Queen that they will not be returning as working members of The Royal Family.
“Following conversations with The Duke, The Queen has written confirming that in stepping away from the work of The Royal Family it is not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service.
“The honorary military appointments and Royal patronages held by The Duke and Duchess will therefore be returned to Her Majesty, before being redistributed among working members of The Royal Family.
“While all are saddened by their decision, The Duke and Duchess remain much loved members of the family.”
