39-year-old Meghan Markle is the first-ever member of any royal family to have cast her ballot, a source told Newsweek.
The insider claimed, “I’m not going to get into methods or timing, but can confirm that the duchess is voting in this election.”
In the United Kingdom, no law prevents the royal family members from voting in a local or general election. But Queen Elizabeth II and her relatives do not usually participate in elections as they remain as neutral as possible in the Brits’ eyes.
This is also to avoid swaying public opinion.
According to the Royal Family’s website, “As the Head of the State, The Queen has to remain strictly neutral with respect to political matters.”
“By convention, The Queen does not vote or stand for election; however, Her Majesty does have important ceremonial and formal roles in relations to the government of the UK.”
But since the Duchess of Sussex quit her senior roles and moved back to the US, she and her husband, Prince Harry, have spoken openly about politics.
Recently, they even spoke out and encouraged people to vote in the Nov. 3 elections.
Prince Harry was heard saying, “Reject hate speech, misinformation and online negativity,” while the former Suits star described Tuesday’s elections as “the most important of our lifetime.”
Meghan Markle first addressed the issue of voting in a statement.
Being one of the most influential women globally, the magazine asked why people should vote in the elections.
She replied, “I know what it’s like to have a voice, and also what it’s like to feel voiceless.”
Meghan added, “And the opportunity, that fundamental right, is in our ability to exercise our right to vote and to make all of our voices heard.”
While some praised Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for finally using their voices to encourage people to vote, others weren’t happy with the entire ordeal.
Royal aides spoke to The Sunday Times and said that their remarks broke some of their Megxit deal terms.
Queen Elizabeth II agreed that the couple would ensure “everything they do will uphold the values of Her Majesty,” which supposedly meant they would remain politically neutral.
But it’s not what happened, clearly.
Because of this, royal aides suggest that it would likely block Prince Harry’s chances of getting back his military posts.