Harry and Meghan issue urgent statement as they wade into US election (original) (raw)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Archewell Foundation has stressed the importance of registering to vote in the upcoming US presidential election in a new statement on their charitable foundation's website

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on a recent trip to Colombia

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have waded into the upcoming US presidential election in an unusual move with a new statement

The couple's charitable foundation The Archewell Foundation marked National Voter Registration Day yesterday with members of the charity's team writing letters urging people to sign up to vote ahead of polling day on November 5.

In a post on its website, the foundation explained how its staff "came together for a meaningful volunteer activity to support and empower our communities." It added: "Using Vote Forward’s impactful letter-writing tool, our team wrote personalized letters encouraging unregistered voters to take a crucial step: registering to vote."

And in a statement, it urged people to use their vote, adding: "Voting is not just a right; it’s a fundamental way to influence the fate of our communities. At The Archewell Foundation, we recognize that civic engagement, no matter one’s political party, is at the heart of a more just and equitable world. By participating in initiatives like this, we aim to amplify the message that every voice matters.

"Together, let’s make sure every eligible voter is informed and empowered to participate in shaping America’s future." However, the couple nor the foundation has personally or publicly endorsed either Kamala Harris or Donald Trump in the race for the White House.

Working royals in the UK usually refrain from commenting on politics or voting in elections. However, it is not the first time Harry and Meghan have urged those in the US to use their vote. In September 2020, at the time of the last US presidential election between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, the couple appeared in a video message and urged Americans to 'vote against hate speech'.

The couple in a video urging people to vote in 2020 (

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In the video broadcast as part of Time 100 magazine's annual list of the top 100 most influential people, Harry also explained how he would not be able to vote and had never voted in the UK as a member of the Royal Family.

While they did not specifically mention anyone by name, the remarks were interpreted as referring to US President Donald Trump, with some claiming it was a breach of the Sandringham Summit agreement, which was written up when the couple quit their royal duties in 2020.

Royal aides told The Sunday Times at the time that the remarks broke the pledge, leaving the Royal Family "wringing their hands". "The feeling is it's a violation of the agreement,' one source said.

Meanwhile, it has long been rumoured that Meghan could favour a career in politics one day. In 2021, she spent time cold-calling senators in the US as she campaigned for paid parental leave. The Duchess is said to have cold-called senators Shelley Moore Capito and Susan Collins using a withheld number and told them: This is Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex.”

Also, during the last US election campaign, Meghan joined forces with feminist Gloria Steinem as they called on Americans to vote. In an interview with Access Hollywood, Gloria said: "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."