The Queen's Commonwealth Day speech showed 'where the royal family's priorities lie' hours before Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's tell-all interview

• The Queen gave a televised address on Sunday ahead of Commonwealth Day, which is March 8.
• The Queen's speech came hours before Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's tell-all interview with Oprah.
• The timing "shows where the priorities of the royal family lie," a palace source told Harper's Bazaar.

Hours ahead of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey, the Queen on Sunday gave a televised address praising "examples of courage, commitment, and selfless dedication" demonstrated across the Commonwealth.

The Queen's address was part of a BBC broadcast for Commonwealth Day, which is celebrated on March 8.

"Over the coming week, as we celebrate the friendship, spirit of unity, and achievements of the Commonwealth, we have an opportunity to reflect on a time like no other," the Queen said.

A Buckingham Palace source said the timing of the Commonwealth Day broadcast shows the royal family's 'priorities'

The Commonwealth Day broadcast also included appearances from other members of the royal family, including Prince Charles, Prince William, and Kate Middleton.

It was always planned for what turned out to be the same day of the premiere of Markle and Harry's interview with Oprah, a Buckingham Palace source told Harper's Bazaar royal editor at large Omid Scobie.

"The Commonwealth Day programme had always been scheduled on this date, however the timing will no doubt be a reminder to viewers where the priorities of the royal family lie," Harper's Bazaar reported, citing the palace source.

In the address, the Queen spoke about how the Commonwealth nations and territories have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Whilst experiences of the last year have been different across the Commonwealth, stirring examples of courage, commitment, and selfless dedication have been demonstrated in every Commonwealth nation and territory, notably by those working on the frontline who have been delivering healthcare and other public services in their communities," she said.

The Queen continued: "We have also taken encouragement from remarkable advances in developing new vaccines and treatments."

"The testing times experienced by so many have led to a deeper appreciation of the mutual support and spiritual sustenance we enjoy being connected to others," she said.

The Queen's celebratory speech contrasts the tension around Markle and Harry's highly anticipated interview

The Queen's speech celebrating a sense of unity throughout the Commonwealth represented a stark contrast between events in the past week leading up to Markle and Harry's interview with Oprah.

Earlier in the week, Buckingham Palace announced it was investigating claims that the Duchess of Sussex bullied, "humiliated," and made members of her staff cry during her time as a working royal.

A spokesperson for Markle told The Times that the accusations of bullying were part of "a calculated smear campaign based on misleading and harmful misinformation."

Markle and Harry's tell-all interview airs Sunday on CBS at 8 p.m. ET/PT and 7 p.m. CT. In the UK, it airs on ITV on Monday at 9 p.m.

Representatives for Buckingham Palace did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.