Meghan Markle and Prince Harry spoke out about the importance of voting in the US election, branding it the “most important election of our lifetime”. But the couple is facing a huge backlash as members of the Royal Family are expected to remain politically neutral.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex appeared on a Time 100 special hosted by US TV broadcaster ABC last night, where they urged people to exercise their democratic right to vote.
But the two-minute-long video appears to have backfired as social media users have condemned the couple for interfering in US politics.
One person wrote: “Who the hell cares what they think about voting, plus Prince Harry can’t vote in the US anyway…”
Another user fumed: “Why’s a UK prince and his wife getting involved in a US election? What business is it of his?
“Didn’t we fight a war to end interference from the British Monarchy?”
A third person wrote: “This is once again Meghan & now Harry directly entering into politics.
“They’re obviously encouraging people to vote in this ‘crucial election’ for Dems as M is outspoken about her friendship with Obama & hatred of Trump. Unacceptable for RF members.”
Another user suggested Harry’s involvement in the video was bizarre.
They wrote: “If Meghan is a registered voter then she should vote but I don’t quite get Harry’s participation in all this. It makes him look idiotic.”
JUST IN: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry TV appearance BOYCOTTED
One person said: “They’re amazing and so right. We need to vote!!!! #MeghanMarkle”
A second user wrote: “#MeghanMarkle & #PrinceHarry gave up their royal status(April).
“They are now private individuals. Private individuals can say what they like about politics.”
Meghan and Harry appeared on the video as part of the Time 100, the magazine’s annual list of the world’s 100 most influential people.
Speaking on the clip, Meghan said: “Every four years we are told the same thing, that this is the most important election of our lifetime. But this one is.
“When we vote, our values are put into action, and our voices are heard.”
Harry said he was not able to vote in the election because he is not a US citizen but he urged Americans to “reject hate speech, misinformation and online negativity”.
It is considered sacrosanct for members of the Royal Family to remain apolitical and in practice, they never participate in elections, by voting or stating a political allegiance.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped down as senior royals earlier this year in order to forge their own path away from the Royal Family.
