[ad_1]
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle faced backlash today for talking about the upcoming US elections despite strict political neutrality from the British royal family.
The Duke of Sussex told voters to “reject hate speech, misinformation and negativity online,” while the Duchess called the presidential race “the most important choice of our lives” as the couple urged Americans to use their right to vote.
Speaking in a Time 100 video message, Harry admitted that he was ineligible to vote in the November 3 election, adding that he had never voted in the UK, where convention dictates that royalty must stay away from politics.
But although Harry and Meghan did not endorse a candidate, their intervention drew criticism from viewers who said it was none of their business.
‘Why are a UK prince and his wife involved in US elections? What does it matter to him? Aren’t we fighting a war to end the interference of the British monarchy? ‘Asked one.
Another said it was’ obvious’ that the royal couple supported Joe Biden, given Meghan’s criticism of Donald Trump before he became royal, saying his intervention was’ unacceptable to members of the royal family.
‘Why would a prince of the UK kingdom encourage American citizens to vote in American elections? How can this be allowed? Asked another.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have spoken out about the upcoming US elections, in a break with British tradition that prohibits royal participation in politics.
For his part, Harry said: ‘As we approach November, it is vital that we reject hate speech, misinformation and negativity online.’
“Every four years they tell us the same thing, that this is the most important choice of our life. But this one is, ” said Markle, 39, in the video clip broadcast as part of Time 100, the magazine’s annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.
Markle continued: ‘When we vote, our values are put into action and our voices are heard. Your voice is a reminder that you are important, because you do and you deserve to be heard. ‘
For his part, Harry said: “As we approach November, it is vital that we reject hate speech, misinformation and negativity online.”
Harry urged Americans to be careful about the type of content they consume online.
When the bad outweighs the good, for many, whether we realize it or not, it erodes our capacity for compassion and our ability to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes. Because when a person buys negativity online, the effects are felt exponentially. It’s time to not just reflect, but act, ‘he said.
Harry also referenced the fact that because he is not a US citizen, he will not be able to vote in November.
He added that he had never been able to vote in the UK, despite being theoretically eligible in the last five general elections since he turned 18.
Although British law does not explicitly prohibit members of the royal family from voting, the expectation that royals remain apolitical is considered sacrosanct, and in practice they never participate in elections, by ballot or otherwise.
But since announcing plans to step down as royalty in January and move to North America, Meghan and Harry have quietly expanded their involvement in politics as they forge their own path.
Markle has made her position on the 2020 election clear in several appearances in recent weeks, expressing enthusiasm for the Democratic nomination.
This week, feminist activist Gloria Steinem revealed that Markle had joined her in cold calling Americans and urging them to vote.
Steinem told Access Hollywood: ‘He came home to vote. The first thing we did, and the reason she came to see me, was we sat at the dining room table where I am now and cold-call voters.
He said ‘hello I’m Meg’ and ‘hello I’m Gloria’ and ‘are you going to vote?’ That was her initiative.
Before marrying Prince Harry in 2018, Markle was no stranger to politics, ridiculing then-presidential candidate Donald Trump during a 2016 appearance on The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore.
He called Trump “misogynistic and divisive” and indicated his support for Hillary Clinton.
Over the past few weeks, Markle has participated in multiple interviews and summits, and has reportedly been ‘frustrated’ by her inability to get involved in politics while working as royalty.
Last month, she joined Gloria for a ‘backyard chat’ in which she made it incredibly clear who she plans to vote for in November, expressing her excitement to see a woman of color on the Democratic ballot, the running mate of Joe Biden, Kamala Harris. and explaining that the nomination was particularly meaningful to her because she is biracial.
Last month, Markle (left) joined Gloria Steinem for a ‘backyard chat’ in which she made it very clear who she plans to vote for in November.
In recent months, Markle has moved to become more politically active and has participated in multiple interviews and summits; she has reportedly been “frustrated” by her inability to get involved in politics while working as royalty.
“I’m so excited to see that kind of performance,” she said. ‘You know, for me, being biracial, growing up, whether it’s a doll or a person in the office, you need to see someone who looks like you in some way.
As many of us believe, you can only be what you can see. And in the absence of that, how can you aspire to something greater than what you see in your own world? I think maybe now we’re starting to move forward in a different way. ‘
In the meantime, she has also accepted calls from voters, in which she made a bold call on US women to participate in the 2020 presidential elections, speaking about the need for ‘change’ at a summit. of voters online, while telling participants: “If we are not part of the solution, we are part of the problem.”
Meghan made her stance on the 2020 presidential race clear when she addressed viewers at the When All Women Vote Couch Party, an online event hosted by the non-profit When We All Vote, which was founded by ‘ her friend ‘Michelle Obama.
Appearing as the opening speaker for the summit, Meghan expressed her ‘enthusiasm’ for participating, before telling those involved in organizing: ‘We need [your work] now more than ever.’
‘I’m so excited that you asked me to be a part of this,’ began the mother of one, adding, ‘I think this is such an exceptional moment. [and I am] happy to be here for my friend Michelle Obama’s When We All Vote event, and to kick off the When All Women Vote Couch Party ‘party.
