As we discussed over the weekend, the Duchess of Sussex said some general words about how people should vote, and women especially need to get out to vote this year, on the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, which guaranteed women’s suffrage (for white women at least). Meghan really has been making very general, very basic appeals reminding people to vote, and nothing she’s said has been scandalous or controversial in the least. Even in her new video with Gloria Steinem, she’s not doing anything other than encouraging women to vote. But did you know that men like Piers Morgan and Dan Wootten are apparently on their deathbeds at the very IDEA that a duchess – the same duchess they bullied out of the UK – would encourage AMERICANS to vote? HOW DARE SHE!
Yeah, so it was all very stupid and contrived and people saw it for what it was: another attempt by a certain group of ass-ache douches acting as self-appointed gatekeepers to who is and is not “royal.” Well, we’ve got a confirmation – sort of – about Meghan and Harry’s future political plans for the rest of the American election cycle. Hint: they’re not entering the political realm.
Usually Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are in lockstep when it comes to the causes they promote publicly, from animal welfare and the environment to racial justice and social media. But there’s one subject where they have been keeping separate. Over the last few weeks, Meghan has appeared on panels and in conversations about voting rights, where she has encouraged Americans to get out the vote in November. According to the Telegraph, Harry will not join Meghan in her advocacy this fall, due to the “family convention” that British royals do not get involved in politics.
A source told the newspaper that Meghan, who is still eligible to vote in the U.S., has been taking on non-partisan events because she “feels comfortable” with that amount of political engagement, adding that she won’t be contributing to Joe Biden’s campaign despite her previously stated antipathy toward Donald Trump.
The funny thing is, the Queen *could* vote if she wanted to, she merely chooses not to for fear of looking (or actually being) partial to one side over the other. But make no mistake, the Queen is a political animal. As are Charles, William and Harry. Anyway, of course Harry won’t get involved in American politics. He’s not an American citizen, he can’t vote and if you need Harry to tell you NOT to vote for Donald Trump, well, you have bigger problems. I guess it’s good that Meghan won’t be actively campaigning for the Biden-Harris ticket, although if she did so, that would be her right and I would look forward to all of the tantrums from the British peanut gallery.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Backgrid.
They will never just let her live her life will they? The whole royal ecosystem is so rotten to the core — the family, the rota, the courtiers, the sycophants..it’s all rotten.
We all know very well who she’s voting for so it doesn’t really need to be said but I think this is “disclaimer” is for /certain/ people who want to bitch about her being too “political” (although they’ll continue to bitch no matter what).
Also, she can support GOTV movements, especially those targeted at youth, without supporting a particular candidate or party, and that will do a world of good.
I understand why she can’t publicly, but she’ll do her part, I’m sure.
Time is with her. I think she will become more vocal, “down the road.” As she continues to build her life in America the BRF influence will lessen to a point of irrelevance.
@KellyRyan: From your lips to God’s ears!
What I have gathered from the over-the-top reactions is that royals can engage in politics if they do so through clandestine means, but they cannot do so transparently *sigh*
That’s exactly it. So she should be allowed to do what the rest of them do. But that doesn’t encompass publicly campaigning for a political candidate.
I’m not sure how much influence she would have anyway. Other than royal watchers, or, I guess, “Suits” fans, in this environment what does she get Biden as far as votes? You wouldn’t know it from here, but the vast majority of American adults have only a passing interest in the Royal Family. Hell, the vast majority of British adults have only a passing interest in the Royal Family. Celebrity endorsements of any sort are overrated anyway.
I would say it depends on the celebrity @Mumbles. If Meghan chose to campaign actively for Biden/Harris, they would be thrilled.
Well sure. But would it help? Meghan’s fan base are largely young or middle-aged women who share her views already. Those folks are for Biden already.
I think if the point is to get Trump out of the White House, any endorsement (save from a deplorable person) is a welcome. But I do agree with the overall sentiment that candidates should not rely solely on celebrity endorsements. In this case however, Trump supporters doesn’t waiver under the revelation of his scandals and shortcomings. As a balance, Biden/Harris needs to be seen as an exciting ticket, with many enthusiastic supporters.
Also, Meghan may be a British royal by marriage, but she is a first and foremost an American. It would be up to her to decide what she is comfortable with. The royal family made it clear during Sussexit that the couple no longer represented them and they could no longer use the word ‘royal’.
Yes, but the rules were made very clear when she became engaged to Harry. They made her take down her website and her personal Instagram was either deleted or deactivated. The Royals can’t be overtly partisan, full stop. This isn’t a bait-and-switch.
The rules applied when she joined the firm. They have both left the firm and the rules no longer apply. If his HRH Duke of Kent can get entangled with shady Russians without reprisal, then the Sussexes can choose the extent they get involved. I’m not super crazy for Meghan to get fully involved in politics btw. I think following Jolie’s model of being as neutral as possible so you can effectively lobby both sides if you need to is not bad. But in this cycle? I would not hold it against her if she did.
@mumbles….I would like some clarity on what rules apply now that they have stepped back from being working royals.
I am not clear and maybe …just maybe when the Courtiers were being hard nosed in the exit negotiations they should have taken all these things into consideration.
I was never in favour of half in half out but I think it was in the best interest of the firm. They would have maintained some control.
Guess that is what happens when you outmaneuver yourself. They never thought that they would actually leave.
Kamala Harris has defended Meghan in the past and many American minorities are keenly aware of the treatment Meghan received from the UK mostly for being part Black. Her words about BLM were warmly received and if she chose to actively campaign for Biden/Harris it would be cool. Getting out women and minorities to vote overwhelmingly Democrat is the key to getting Trumpus Rex out of power and Meghan’s influence would not harm those efforts.
The QUEEN recorded a speech (or was it a letter) To the Scottish people telling them to “think long and hard” before voting on the referendum to stay or leave. William’ Brexit remarks? Charles’ “spider letters? They don’t get political my arse!
Thank you … the queen told the Welsh people to go vote. the same thing Meghan is doing…
The Governor General aka The Queen’s representative ousted Gough Whitlam, a democratically elected Prime Minister in Australia.
But I guess these bigots are too lost in misogynoir to like actually remember history. Or facts. They’re all just needlessly aggressive towards Meghan online because that’s easier than facing their own bullsh*t.
😲 I did not know that.
If the Queen (or any of the senior royals) chose to vote it would end the monarchy.
Besides judging from what Harry said to Greta Thunberg he’d be the conservative the whole way, as would the rest of the Royal family, which wouldn’t go down well with most millenials/ gen Z.
The conservative party here is really more like your Democrats, they’re considered right wing here but in the USA theyd probably be considered soft left (pro choice, mostly pro universal healthcare etc).
The labour party here are all variants of left wing, but most of them would be considered very left wing in the USA.
That is why I always identify myself as a “Pinko commie liberal Labour-supporting progressive Democratic Socialists”. It drives my husband’s “right of center” friends bonkers and entertains them as it is not easy to say when one has consumed a couple of glasses of wine. LOL!
I’m a labour woman through and through lol!
Also, I’m referring to when he called Boris Johnson a ‘good man’. Boris Johnson has NEVER been a good man, he is objectively an AWFUL person, and always has been. He is our Trump, hes just ever so slightly not as cartoon villainy.
It was an off the record conversation so we can presume it’s what he really thinks of Boris. I dont doubt all the Royals think the same, Boris is totally from their world, but the last thing we need is to have that confirmed.
Just means she won’t be doing any rallies or commercials but yeah, we know the real deal. But I still wouldn’t be surprised to see her at a victory party if Biden wins.
Meghan doesn’t owe us anything, but I’d love it if she’d just do it. The British Press are already tantruming as if she was waving a Biden sign, so why not just go full-partisan?
Encouraging youth and women to vote, especially in L.A., *is* going full partisan. I mean, California is a given no matter what, but the best thing Democrats can do is make voting appealing, cool, exciting, whatever it takes.
Oooh. Where are H&M in the bottom photo with the navy dress with red-lining?
Yes half in half out might have required a committee to judge their commercial deals etc but the Firm would have maintained control. Now the Sussexes are only expected to observe the Queen’s values (so urging to vote as Queen herself has done shouldn’t be an issue). But what are the limits to this?
i hope they dont.. cause hey would mean protecting pedophiles and forcing your son to marry a “suitable” woman
I’ll admit I prefer Meghan to go on a more humanitarian route (which she is already) than a political one. I find that most public figures are talking about politics (by basically repeating the same points over and over, and it does get a little frustrating), and I felt it would be lovely to see them tackle more non-partisan issues that nobody really talks about because it doesn’t win votes…like foster children or charity/philanthropic efforts. This was mainly why I had my eye on the royals…before I realise everyone with the exception of the Sussexes seem to have a lot of skeletons and are in no position to act nice.
That aside it seems like Meghan found a balance for her. She has always encouraged political participation so this is perfectly on brand for her. She cares about this greatly and it’s awesome to see her working hard to do what she can. I honestly don’t enjoy politics because of how harsh and emotional it can be. People ignore facts to further their cause, even if it’s well intentioned, or bully each other (I am a WOC struggling to stay afloat, I am not trying to dismiss the importance of political awareness and participation). But I do hope this is the most ‘political’ we see her, assuming that things don’t get worse. I think she would have a greater impact on soft politics/humanitarian work, like the publicity she gave to the 19th, or basically everything she’s done so far.
I think she is walking that walk very well. We all know that she’s a Democrat just like we well know that royals are Tories, so she doesn’t need to spell it out. Encouraging women and everyone really to vote is exactly what’s needed by everyone with a platform so yeah, Meghan!
I can’t believe I didn’t care for that dress when she first wore it. It’s like that gray dress she wore to Ireland, it grew on me. Looking back at her fashion, I find that I’m liking many looks I was just meh about before.
Agree. She does not need to campaign for them and wade into partisan politics. She had 4 years of right wing targeting in England. She’s been there. Regarding fashion, I like everything she’s wearing in these photos but I cannot stand those beige pumps.
I dislike the beige pumps too, but I understood why she wore them. She would have been trashed if she had worn the shoes you just know she wanted to wear. Her shoe game is fierce, so I can only imagine what she actually wanted to wear with some of these outfits.
Why should she??! She does owe us, biden/Harris anything. I’m happy to see her using her platform to encourage political participation. We need everyone eligible to do so.
I agree with others about the palace having no say in what they do. They were stupid enough to deny their request of half in half out which wouldve given them some control/say over how Harry and Meghan operate but thankfully they rejected that. I honestly dont see the institution surviving to George’s time. It’ll be so small similar to Dutch royals with only one king and his immediate family. Charlotte and louise better have a exit plan in their teens. I noticed the keenbridges have gone silent, probably went to French Alps or that island curtsy of taxpayers ofcourse. In a post brexit Britain, the public wont be as forgiven when it comes to their extravagant lifestyle
Of course Harry won’t get involved, nor should he . He is not an American citizen. Also, there are law against foreigners lobbying or advocating in US elections, whether he’s a British prince, Swiss banker, or some random YouTuber. He can’t even write a campaign donation check for $10.
I never expected her to campaign for anyone. Encouraging people to vote is important and she is doing that. They have a plan for the future developing their charity and I don’t see being political as part of that plan. Also, I think they are keeping the door open for now to see what Charles offers Harry for a future role. Surely not his previous role but maybe something new that would let them stay in CA most of the time.
“But there’s one subject where they have been keeping separate.” Why are they making this sound like it’s a bad thing, lol? Oh, Harry and Meghan agree on EVERYTHING except advocating for certain political issues!!! This has weird trouble in paradise vibes all over it, and I don’t like that insinuation.
Otherwise, of course Meghan is not going to actively campaign for Joe Biden. But as far as the voter turn out thing goes, I actually think that the royals should get on that beat, even in Britain. Not to campaign for political parties, but to encourage people to participate in their democracy.
A royal family telling people to go out and vote more is actually a really good thing. It’s the sort of thing that people praised and lauded Juan Carlos for, back in the day, before everything went to shit with him.
I think it’s the right move for Meghan and frankly to the benefit of Democrats. I think 4 years ago Hilary made a huge mistake relying so heavily and openly on celeb endorsement and I personally think it rubbed a lot of people the wrong way in that some people who voted for Trump didn’t ‘really’ vote for Trump but voted against Hilary. The campaign Hilary ran came across imo very liberal elitist based on the massive celeb endorsement and and ‘the working people’ seemed rather resentful and pissed off about that.