Bruges Group director Robert Oulds and colleague Niall McCrae fear any failure to act would risk exposing the monarchy to more “reputational damage” – while branding the couple both “clumsy and arrogant” and “woke warriors”. In the clip, Harry and Meghan, who now live in California, called on Americans to register to vote in the upcoming US presidential election featuring Donald Trump and Joe Biden, thereby involving themselves in politics in a way British royals have previously refrained from doing.
Significantly, Harry said: “As we approach this November, it’s vital that we reject hate speech, misinformation and online negativity.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s controversial move drew a stinging rebuke from Mr Oulds and Mr McRae, a senior lecturer in mental health at Kings College London.
They said: “The latest video by Harry and Meghan, ostensibly urging people to vote in the forthcoming US presidential election, is naked campaigning for the Democrat Party.
“The royal couple urge voters to reject ‘hate’, clearly referring to their bete noire Donald Trump.
“These woke warriors have breached protocol by interfering in an election.
“The House of Windsor should act swiftly, stripping Harry and Meghan of their royal titles.”
READ MORE: Galileo mystery – ‘Where did the £92million go?’ MP asks
With specific reference to the Duchess, they said: “Of course, Meghan’s mission is not really equality, but self-publicity.
“Downtrodden working-class folk in the Rustbelt will hardly be persuaded by self-righteous, manipulative voting instructions from the dizzy heights of privilege.
“You don’t need to be a conspiracy theorist to see a one percent elite trying to take back control.
“But Trump’s support among ordinary American voters is strong, and will only be bolstered by this clumsy and arrogant intervention.”
Mr Oulds and Mr McCrae also had stern words of rebuke for Harry, saying: “The Queen knows that the monarch and the Royal Family must stay above politics.
“Harry has let his grandmother down yet again.
“The Queen and Prince Philip will be in despair at this undignified behaviour and blatant disregard for Royal protocol.”
Asked yesterday about Harry’s remarks, a Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “We would not comment.
“The duke is not a working member of the royal family and any comments he makes are made in a personal capacity.”
The Queen, as head of state, has always striven to stay above the political fray, and hosted Mr Trump at Buckingham Palace during his state visit last year.
Mr Trump is known to be particularly fond of the Monarch, largely because of the high regard his mother had for her.
