The annual Commonwealth Day service, which normally gathers people from all over the world at Westminster Abbey, has been canceled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, the BBC will broadcast a television special featuring members of the royal family.Queen Elizabeth,Prince Charles,Prince William,Kate MiddletonandSophie, Countess of Wessexare all set to contribute, while the 94-year-old monarch will appear in a pre-recorded message from Windsor Castle.
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Queen Elizabeth, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, Prince William and Kate Middleton.Paul Grover - WPA Pool/Getty Images
The broadcast will air on Sunday, March 7 — the same day as CBS’s 90-minute primetime special in which Oprah sits down for an"intimate conversation" with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. (Due to the time difference, Meghan and Harry’s interview will air in the early morning hours of March 8 in the U.K.)
Oprah Winfrey; Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.David Livingston/Getty; Chris Jackson/Getty
The special airs weeks after Meghan, 39, andPrince Harry, 36, announced that they areexpecting their second child— and shortly after they confirmed theywould not be returning as working members of the royal family.
The royal family on Commonwealth Day in 2020.PHIL HARRIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
The March 2020 celebration of Commonwealth Day marked Meghan andPrince Harry’s final appearance as working royals — and the last time they were seen with members of the royal family.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Commonwealth Day 2020.Chris Jackson/Getty
Commonwealth Day 2020.Phil Harris - WPA Pool/Getty Images
Later that month, Harry and Meghan relocated to California with their son Archie, who will turn 2 in May.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s pregnancy reveal on Feb. 14.Misan Harriman
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Less than a week after the couple announced that they areexpecting their second child, Buckingham Palace confirmed that the couple will officiallynot be returning to their royal roles. The announcement came a few weeks shy of their 12-month review period.
Meghan and Harry will no longer keep their patronages (their royal involvement with numerous U.K. charities). Further,Prince Harrywill lose his honorary military appointments, which will subsequently be redistributed “among working members of The Royal Family.”
AlthoughPrince Harryand Meghan no longer use their coveted His/Her Royal Highness titles, they will retain them — along with their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles.
source: people.com
