Harry and Meghan’s decision to break their silence on the US presidential election is a thinly veiled attempt to ‘harvest’ votes for Kamala Harris and impress the ‘woke Hollywood elite’, critics told MailOnline today.
The chairman of the Republican Movement in the UK has said the Sussexes “just can’t help themselves” when America is in an election year, rejecting their claim to be politically neutral.
Greg Swenson, a London-based financier and chairman of Republicans Overseas UK, told MailOnline today: ‘They can’t help it. By encouraging people to vote, they are effectively harvesting votes for Kamala.
“You don’t have to say it. Just like the man sitting alone in his car, wearing a Covid mask: you don’t need a bumper sticker, we know who you voted for.”
In 2020, the couple did not endorse a candidate, but instead urged Americans to vote in the “most important election of our lifetimes.” Meghan even cold-called Americans to urge them to vote.
Many interpreted this as support for Joe Biden, including Trump, who said he was “not a fan” of the former Suits star and Harry’s happiness “because he’s going to need it.”
But it emerged that the couple, who have just two months to go before the polls, have been sending personal letters to unregistered voters through the Archewell Foundation, stressing that “every vote counts.” They stress, however, that they are politically neutral and have not named any candidates.
The couple’s video statement during the 2020 election, which they filmed from the garden of their Montecito mansion, urging Americans to vote in the “most important election of our lifetimes.” They denied they were not politically neutral, others disagreed
Trump said he was “not a fan” of the duchess and has said he will consider
Trump to face Kamala Harris in US presidential election
Experts say Harry will be “scared” of a Trump victory after the Republican presidential candidate made it clear the British royal could be deported from the US if he lied about drug use on his US visa application.
Greg Swenson, however, is convinced that their latest political intervention will have no impact on Americans, but that it could curry favor with the “woke elites of Hollywood” they want to impress.
“Every move Harry and Meghan make is carefully orchestrated to keep them popular with their elite circle. Most of the woke Hollywood elites vote for Kamala, but I’m surprised they haven’t outright supported her,” he said.
‘The only thing she can do now is run for office.
“I don’t think they would move the needle – they’re known as woke celebrities. I don’t think there’s any mystery about their views being consistent with the progressive left (Kamala). The voters who like Harry and Meghan would probably vote for Kamala anyway. I don’t think they would change anyone’s vote.”
Investigative journalist and the couple’s biographer Tom Bower told MailOnline it was another attempt to ‘get noticed’ – and a sign that Meghan’s political ambitions are not dead yet.
Ms Markle is said to have approached California Governor Gavin Newsom to ask if he would support her in replacing Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein.
Mr Bower said: ‘Meghan Markle has ambitions to become famous and influential and yearns to belong to the American political establishment, particularly the Democratic Party.
Shortly after returning to California in 2020, she approached the Governor of California to ask if she could be nominated for political office, specifically as a candidate for Congress.
‘However, her endorsement of Biden over Trump in 2020 ended in disaster. Harry’s foolish contribution to urging Americans to vote was ridiculed as a foreigner ignorant of American politics.
‘And Trump’s retaliation was fierce. If elected, he threatened to kick Harry out of America. It’s no surprise that the Sussexes are more cautious now. They can’t help but speak their minds – and Meghan hasn’t given up her political ambitions – but they rightly fear Trump’s election.
“Their bland message that Americans should vote will be ignored across America, but it feeds their self-esteem and gets them noticed in Britain, an important attribute for Harry.”
The ruling has also not gone unnoticed by American academics in the United Kingdom.
Thomas Gift, a professor of politics at University College London, said the Sussexes, unlike other stars, are trying to avoid controversy after the row over their support for Joe Biden.
He said: ‘Unlike Taylor Swift and many other high-profile celebrities, the Sussexes apparently do not feel the need to alienate a section of their fan base by endorsing a candidate, or to invite further criticism from critics.
“Encouraging Americans to vote is unassailable and unlikely to provoke much reaction that they are inappropriately interfering in American politics.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will remain publicly neutral during the upcoming US presidential election, it has been announced – pictured here at the Invictus Games closing ceremony
The couple celebrated National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday by having the Archewell team participate in a letter-writing activity.
Staff sent letters to unregistered voters encouraging them to vote in the upcoming presidential election.
The statement said: “Voting is not just a right; it is a fundamental way to influence the fate of our communities.
At The Archewell Foundation, we recognize that community engagement, regardless of one’s political affiliation, is at the heart of a more just and equal world.
‘By participating in these kinds of initiatives, we want to reinforce the message that every vote counts.’
The Telegraph reported that the letters went no further than endorsing a specific candidate, but instead urged voters to simply make their voices heard.
The couple invited readers to join us in this important effort and volunteer by writing letters to unregistered voters.
The couple celebrated National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday by having the Archewell team participate in a letter-writing activity — the couple is pictured here in Bogata, Columbia
The statement ended: “Together, let us ensure that every voter is informed and empowered to participate in shaping America’s future.”
This comes after the couple were accused of supporting Joe Biden in the last US election. They made a video statement from the garden of their mansion in Montecito, where they had just moved in at the time.
In the video address, Prince Harry called on American voters to “reject hate speech,” while Meghan described the 2020 presidential election as “the most influential election of our lifetime.”
The Duke said at the time: ‘This election I am not allowed to vote in the US. But many of you may not know that I have not been allowed to vote in the UK my entire life. As we approach this November, it is vital that we reject hate speech, misinformation and negativity online.’
Although Harry and Meghan did not name their preferred candidate, many viewers found it “clear” that they supported Joe Biden over Donald Trump, with the Sussexes accused of “breaching” the terms of their “Megxit” deal.
In September 2020, Trump said he was “not a fan” of the duchess after the couple released their video.
Afterwards, Republicans and other critics called on the royal family to strip the couple of their titles, calling the duke and duchess’s interference “inappropriate.”
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said at the time: “We do not comment. The Duke is not a working member of the Royal Family and any comments he makes are made in his personal capacity.”
Unlike last year, this year’s statement from the Sussexes was released through the Archewell Foundation rather than the couple’s private office.
According to The Telegraph, both the Duke and Duchess are expected to remain neutral ahead of the November 5 election.
They will not give official approval.
