Meghan Markle is ‘shocked’ that people think she is wading into politics

Meghan Markle has found criticism that she has been wading into politics ‘difficult’ because her comments have been ‘no different’ than messages from ‘other public figures, politicians, philanthropists, and humanitarians’, an insider has revealed.

The Duchess of Sussex, 39, has become increasingly politically active in the last few months while living in her $14 million mansion with Prince Harry, 36, and their son Archie, one, having stepped back from royal duty in March of this year. 

Speaking to Elle.com, a source told Finding Freedom author Carolyn Durand criticism about her comments had shocked Meghan, saying: ‘She thought she was saying something relatively uncontroversial, which is people should get involved and vote.’

The insider added: ‘She [Meghan] now feels, [and] admits, as she said the other day, she has to be constantly careful about what she says and stick to what she thinks will not be controversial. Even telling people to get involved in the democratic process should not be a controversial subject.’ 

Meghan Markle, 39, has found criticism that she has been wading into politics ‘difficult’ because her comments ‘were no different’ than messages from ‘other public figures, politicians, philanthropists, and humanitarians’, an insider told Elle.com

Meanwhile the insider also added that Meghan felt her comments were ‘no different’ than those from ‘numerous public figures, politicians, philanthropists, and humanitarians across both sides of the political spectrum in the United States.’

The source said the Duke and Duchess both ‘believe in civic action, civic duty and social responsibility’ of which ‘participating in the democratic process’ is a part. 

The former Suits star’s decision to speak out about her political plans marks yet a major break from royal tradition for Meghan; traditionally members of the monarchy are expected to remain politically neutral, and therefore do not speak out about their opinions in public. 

Under the Sandringham accord – agreed in March when the pair quit their royal duties – the Sussexes vowed that ‘everything they do will uphold the values of Her Majesty’ but in recent weeks the couple have become increasingly outspoken about the US election. 

A source told Finding Freedom author Carolyn Durand criticism has been 'difficult' for Meghan because she feels her comments should be 'relatively uncontroversial'

A source told Finding Freedom author Carolyn Durand criticism has been ‘difficult’ for Meghan because she feels her comments should be ‘relatively uncontroversial’

The Duchess has taken part in multiple interviews and summits – having reportedly grown ‘frustrated’ at her inability to get involved in politics while she was working as a senior royal. 

Earlier this month, she joined Prince Harry in  a video message for Times 100 urging Americans to vote, hinting they support Democrat Joe Biden

The Duke urged people to ‘reject hate speech’ while the Duchess called it the ‘most important election of our lifetime’ in remarks which made waves on both sides of the Atlantic. 

Royal insiders voiced concern in Britain where the Queen and her family are expected to remain politically neutral at all times. 

Gloria, who sat down with the royal for a 'backyard chat' last month, said the Duchess had encouraged her to cold-call voters ahead of the November election

Gloria, who sat down with the royal for a ‘backyard chat’ last month, said the Duchess had encouraged her to cold-call voters ahead of the November election

Buckingham Palace also distanced itself from Harry’s remarks by saying that ‘the Duke is not a working member of the royal family’ and describing his comments as ‘made in a personal capacity’. 

Last month, Gloria Steinham said Meghan is even cold-calling US voters to encourage them to get out to the polls, telling Access Hollywood reporter Zuri Hall: ‘She came home to vote. The first thing we did, and why she came to see me, was we sat at the dining room table where I am right now and we cold-called voters.’

She also joined Gloria for a ‘backyard chat’ in which she made it incredibly clear who she plans to vote for come November, expressing her excitement at seeing a woman of color on the Democratic ticket – Joe Biden’s running mate, Kamala Harris – and explaining that the nomination was particularly meaningful to her because she is biracial.  

Meanwhile, she has taken in voter appeals, at which she made a bold plea to women across the US to take part in the 2020 presidential election, speaking out about the need for ‘change’ at an online voter summit, while telling participants: ‘If we aren’t part of the solution, we are part of the problem.’ 

Meghan made her stance on the race clear when she addressed viewers at the When All Women Vote Couch Party – an online event organized by non-profit organization When We All Vote, which was founded by ‘her friend’ Michelle Obama.  

Speaking out: Last month, Meghan urged women across the US to vote in the 2020 election, telling a digital voter summit, 'If we are not part of the solution, we are part of the problem'

Speaking out: Last month, Meghan urged women across the US to vote in the 2020 election, telling a digital voter summit, ‘If we are not part of the solution, we are part of the problem’

Meghan made it clear that she believes there needs to be a change to the current administration, warning summit participants that ‘there is so much work to be done’ before they cast their votes.   

The Duchess confirming to the world that she will be voting in the presidential election will come as no surprise to those closest to her – particularly after it was revealed by a royal source in January that the Duchess of Sussex was aiming to become more ‘politically engaged’ after she and Prince Harry quit their roles as senior royals at the start of the year. 

Criticism: Before marrying Harry, Meghan was outspoken about her dislike for President Donald Trump, branding him 'misogynistic' and 'divisive' in a 2016 interview after he won the election

Criticism: Before marrying Harry, Meghan was outspoken about her dislike for President Donald Trump, branding him ‘misogynistic’ and ‘divisive’ in a 2016 interview after he won the election  

At the time, an insider told the Daily Mail that Meghan had grown ‘frustrated’ by the fact that she was not able to be actively involved in politics while she was a senior member of the monarchy, and that she wanted to ‘take advantage’ of the freedom to share her opinions with the world.   

Before marrying Prince Harry, the Duchess was incredibly outspoken about her dislike of President Donald Trump, branding him ‘misogynistic’ and ‘divisive’ during a talk appearance in 2016, shortly after he had won the election.   

When Trump made an official state visit to the UK in June 2019, Meghan did not join the other royals in meeting him – a move that some royal sources claimed was her way of showing her disapproval of the President, although officially, her absence was blamed on the fact that she was still on maternity leave. 

However, it was revealed in November 2019 that Meghan had invited Hillary Clinton to visit her and baby Archie at Frogmore Cottage – the family’s home in the UK – where the two women were said to have enjoyed a ‘very warm, sweet’ meeting.      

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