2 weeks Ago By Jennifer Newton,Ellie Hook
While royals typically steer clear of political involvement , Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been exceptions. In the lead-up to the pivotal US presidential election on Tuesday, the Sussexes encouraged Americans to ensure they were registered to vote in the race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump . However, they stopped short of endorsing either candidate , and this could be due to the backlash they faced during the last presidential election for making such a bold move.
In September 2020, amidst the campaign between Joe Biden and Trump , the couple appeared in a video message urging Americans to "vote against hate speech". The video was part of Time 100 magazine's annual list of the top 100 most influential people. Harry also mentioned that he would not be able to vote and had never voted in the UK as a member of the Royal Family.
Working royals in the UK generally avoid commenting on politics or participating in elections. While they didn't explicitly name anyone, their comments were perceived as a reference to Trump and, thus, an endorsement of Biden. Some argued that this was a violation of the Sandringham Summit agreement, which was established when the couple resigned from their Royal duties in 2020.
Later, Trump clapped back by stating he was "no fan" of Meghan. At the time, Royal aides told The Sunday Times that the comments violated the pledge, leaving the Royal Family "wringing their hands". Don't Miss: John Legend's epic takedown of Trump as he blasts him for 'serving dictators' DWTS’ Ilona Maher hailed the ‘people’s princess’ after unknowingly protecting two women Paige Spiranac teases spicy 'themed' 2025 calendar — and there’s an added bonus "The feeling is it's a violation of the agreement,' one source said at the time.
It has been speculated for some time that Meghan might pursue a career in politics, and in 2021, she spent time cold-calling US senators to advocate for paid parental leave. The Duchess reportedly called senators Shelley Moore Capito and Susan Collins from an unlisted number, introducing herself as "Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex." Last September, The Telegraph revealed that Harry and Meghan pledged to stay politically neutral in the current campaign, though they engaged in civic activism.
Archewell Foundation, their charity, commemorated National Voter Registration Day with a post explaining an initiative where staff wrote personalized letters urging people to register to vote. "Using Vote Forward's impactful letter-writing tool, our team wrote personalized letters encouraging unregistered voters to take a crucial step: registering to vote," the message stated. They urged people to use their vote, adding: "Voting is not just a right; it's a fundamental way to influence the fate of our communities.
"At The Archewell Foundation, we recognize that civic engagement, no matter one's political party, is at the heart of a more just and equitable world," the message continued. "By participating in initiatives like this, we aim to amplify the message that every voice matters. "Together, let's make sure every eligible voter is informed and empowered to participate in shaping America's future," the statement concluded.
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