Royal Family News
Meghan Markle Sparks Controversy Over Political Lobbying as Duchess of Sussex
The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, has found herself in hot water after reportedly using her royal title to lobby Republican senators on their private phones, in a bid to secure paid parental leave for all American parents.
Meghan's move has sparked outrage among some politicians, who believe that the Duchess should not be using her British royal title to interfere in U.S. politics.
One of her most vocal critics is Piers Morgan, who has long been a critic of Meghan and Harry.
He took to Twitter to demand that the Queen strip her of her royal title, writing, “Just outrageous for Princess Pinocchio to use her royal title for political lobbying like this.
The Queen must stop the Sussexes causing such endless damage to the monarchy's reputation.
Take their titles away.”
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It's claimed that Meghan called Republican Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, using her influence to get them to vote for the rights.
Both senators received unexpected calls from the Duchess, who reportedly used her title to lobby the cause.
However, some politicians are sharing their disapproval about Meghan's foray into the political world.
Republican Congressman Jason Smith told reporters that he doesn't have a problem with Markle lobbying U.S. senators, but he takes issue with her using her British royal title while lobbying for change within the government.
“I think it's great for a U.S. citizen or for a former movie star of Suits to be lobbying U.S. senators.
But when you lobby a U.S. senator, as Meghan Markle has done, as ‘I'm Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex,' she's lobbying Congress and interfering from a position of using her royal title,” Smith said.
Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine has also publicly spoken about Meghan using her royal title during her political interactions.
Collins told Politico that she was surprised to receive a call from Prince Harry's wife on her private line, but even more surprised that Meghan used her title as the Duchess of Sussex to break the ice in the conversation.
“‘Much to my surprise, she called me on my private line and she introduced herself as the Duchess of Sussex, which is kind of ironic,' Collins told the outlet.
“‘I was happy to talk with her.
But I'm more interested in what the people of Maine are telling me about it,' she added.”
Republican Senator Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia also shared her experience about getting a phone call from Meghan.
Capito says that the call came from a blocked number and that she assumed it was her colleague, Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia.
She goes, “‘Senator Capito?
This is Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex.'
I couldn't figure out how she got my number,' the senator admitted.
It seems that some members of the government aren't happy with Meghan using her British title while getting involved in the United States political world, and they're not afraid to let her know about it.
Perhaps, going forward, Meghan will drop the title while lobbying for causes she's passionate about.
However, it remains to be seen whether the Queen will take any action against the Duchess for her latest move.
In her letter to Senate Majority Leader, Charles Schumer, and House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, Meghan wrote about why nationally mandated paid leave is essential for all American parents.
While some are applauding her efforts to bring attention to this important issue, others believe that Meghan needs to stay out of politics altogether.
It's clear that Meghan's latest move has caused controversy and divided opinions among politicians and the public alike.