PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle have been slammed for ‘interfering in US politics’ and speaking out about the upcoming presidential election.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex told voters to “reject hate speech, misinformation and online negativity” while Meghan called the presidential race the “most important election of our lifetime.”
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However many have seen this as a thinly veiled attempt by the royals to get their fans to vote Donald Trump out of office.
Prince Harry admitted that he was not eligible to vote in the US election in November and that he never voted in the UK because royals are meant to be politically neutral.
The pair have been slammed by viewers, who said that politics and the election is none of their business.
One user responded to Harry’s comment saying: “None of his business he is purely a guest in the country.”
Another tweeted: “Completely inappropriate, especially from Harry.”
A third said: “This sounds like foreign interference in the US election. Just because Harry is having his way with Meghan does not give him a say in our election.
“I think we need a special counsel to investigate.”
Another commentator said it was “obvious” that the royals were supporting Joe Biden because of Meghan’s previous criticisms of Donald Trump.
One other continued: “Tell Harry to mind his own barking business. Stop thinking politics in America.”
In the video clip broadcast as part of the Time 100, the magazine’s annual list of the world’s 100 most influential people, 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.
“Your voice is a reminder that you matter, because you do and you deserve to be heard.”
‘COMPLETELY INAPPROPRIATE’
For his part, Harry said: “As we approach this November, it’s vital that we reject hate speech, misinformation and online negativity.
“‘When the bad outweighs the good, for many, whether we realize it or not, it erodes our ability to have compassion and our ability to put ourself in someone else’s shoes.
“Because when one person buys into negativity online, the effects are felt exponentially. It’s time to not only reflect, but act.”
Although law does not explicitly forbid members of the royal family from voting, the expectation is that royals remain apolitical and never participate in elections.
However it seems like Harry and Meghan have been forging their own path during their move to the US.
The Duchess met with feminist powerhouse Gloria Steinem last month for a “backyard chat” where she expressed her excitement at seeing a woman of colour on the Democratic ticket – Kamala Harris.
Before marrying Prince Harry in 2018, she also ridiculed then-presidential candidate Donald Trump during a 2016 appearance on The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore.
She said Trump was “misogynistic and divisive” and indicated her support for Hillary Clinton.
