Meghan Markle letter: Commentators discuss ‘backlash’

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Leading royal biographer Andrew Morton has dismissed claims Meghan is eyeing up a career in politics. The author, who famously collaborated with the late Princess of Wales for his 1992 biography Diana: In Her Own Words, acknowledged Meghan and Harry have tied links with prominent US politicians and Democrat leaders since relocating to California.

Speaking about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’ public trip to the Big Apple two months ago, on the first day of which they met New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Bill de Blasio, Mr Morton told Express.co.uk: “They are celebrities with a royal background, that visit was testament to their pulling power.

“The fact that the Governor of New York and the Mayor of New York accompanied them showed that as far as they are concerned they can get political kudos from being associated with Meghan and Harry.

“They are a hot couple and they will remain a hot couple for some time to come.”

However, when asked whether these links with political leaders could signal a desire from Meghan to become a politician herself or if they are simply useful for her humanitarian work, Mr Morton described the political arena as a “dirty game” which requires a thick skin.

The author of Meghan: A Hollywood Princess said: “I think it’s more [to do with her] as a humanitarian. 

“I don’t think she’d last five minutes as a politician, I mean it’s a dirty game and I don’t think they got thick enough skin for it.

“You’d need a skin a lot thicker than the rhinos’ Prince Harry is trying to save.”

Meghan never hid an interest in politics and even made public remarks on the then-Republican candidate Donald Trump during an interview with Larry Wilmore two years before she joined the Royal Family.

Meghan abided by the royal protocol and remained politically neutral while a senior royal.

But after the Sussexes stepped down from her working roles within the Firm, she started speaking passionately about voter rights and registration in the run-up to the 2020 US presidential elections. 

Among her activities carried out ahead of the elections, Meghan cold-called voters with Gloria Steinem, as claimed by the feminist icon during an interview with Access Hollywood in September last year.

Moreover, Meghan also participated in the When All Women Vote Couch Party, an online event hosted by the non-profit co-founded by former US First Lady Michelle Obama.

In a brief video filmed for ABC’s special Time 100 in September 2020, Meghan also called the US election the “most important of our lifetime.”

Most recently, Meghan turned into a lobbyist by penning an open letter – in which she introduced herself saying she is “not a politician” but “an engaged citizen and parent” – to Chuck Schumer, the US Senator, and Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the US House of representatives.

In her most direct involvement in US politics to date, the Duchess advocated for paid family leave, saying “no family should have to choose between earning a living and having the freedom to take care of their child.” 

Earlier this week, it emerged after penning her letter Meghan also called US senators to talk about the issue of paid family leave.

West Virginia Republican Senator Shelley Moore Capito told Politico: “I’m in my car. I’m driving. It says caller ID blocked.

“I thought it was Sen. Manchin. His calls come in blocked. And she goes ‘Sen. Capito?’

“I said, ‘Yes.’ She said, ‘This is Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex’.”

Similarly, Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins, also got a call from Harry’s spouse.  

The politician said recalling her chat with the royal: “I was happy to talk with her.

“But I’m more interested in what the people of Maine are telling me about it.”

A spokeswoman for Meghan told The Washington Post the Duchess is acting in a personal capacity with these phone calls.

While Mr Morton doesn’t believe Meghan will enter the political arena, other royal commentators seem more open to the possibility. 

Appearing on the 2020 True Royalty’s documentary Meghan for President?, royal author Omid Scobie said: “She has her eyes set on the US presidency. Meghan is the embodiment of the American dream. One day we may see Meghan become president.”

After the Duke and Duchess of Sussex appeared on a special front cover of Time in September and were listed among the 100 people deemed the world’s most influential by the magazine, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told the Sun: “This magazine cover has made it very very clear what’s in the couple’s mind – and especially Meghan’s mind – and that’s politics. It must be!

“I think there is absolutely no doubt that if they made the cover it’s not about what they’ve achieved, but what they could achieve.

“They’re going to become more and more visible. I think that they’re looking at politics.”

Yet, a source who spoke to Vanity Fair last autumn dismissed claims the Duchess wants a career in politics.

They said: “While there’s no denying she is interested and engaged in politics as a topic, she harbors no ambition to enter a career in politics herself.”     

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