Queen gives Commonwealth Day address before Oprah broadcast

The royal household last month said the couple’s decision to confirm their split from the monarchy meant it was “not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service”. They were both stripped of their honorary military appointments and royal patronages.

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The pair later released a statement saying they “remain committed to their duty and service to the UK and around the world”.

“We can all live a life of service. Service is universal.”

Tensions between the California-based duo and the royal household have dramatically escalated since and revelations have emerged that Meghan was the subject of a bullying complaint in 2018.

The complaint was lodged by the couple’s then communications secretary Jason Knauf, who was worried about Meghan’s alleged treatment of young staff.

Meghan accuses Buckingham Palace of lying in the upcoming CBS interview.

“I don’t know how they could expect that, after all of this time, we would still just be silent if there is an active role that The Firm is playing in perpetuating falsehoods about us,” she tells Oprah.

Buckingham Palace has launched an inquiry into the bullying allegations and whether they could have been handled better at the time.

In a show of family unity, Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and Sophie, the Countess of Wessex also recorded clips for the Commonwealth Day broadcast.

The Queen said meeting virtually during the coronavirus pandemic offered an “immediacy that transcends boundaries or division, helping any sense of distance to disappear”.

“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.”

The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age will live-blog CBS Presents Oprah with Meghan and Harry from 11.30am.