Meghan Markle faced severe criticism on Thursday as reports surfaced of her cold-calling US Senators on their private numbers and leveraging her royal title to advocate for the controversial $3.5 trillion spending bill.
The former UK royal, who has long been rumored to harbor political ambitions in the US, caught GOP lawmakers off guard with unexpected calls urging support for federal paid parental leave under President Biden’s contentious proposals, according to Politico.
Senator Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia recounted being taken aback by a call from a blocked number while driving, initially mistaking it for Democratic Senator Joe Manchin.
Meanwhile, Senator Susan Collins of Maine revealed receiving a call from Prince Harry‘s wife, known for her public break from the royal family and accusations of racism during a high-profile TV interview.
The revelation of these cold calls and Markle’s persistent use of her duchess title quickly triggered outrage among critics.
One disgruntled voter bluntly questioned, “Good grief.
Who do you think you are?”
Political commentator Darren Grimes labeled it as further evidence of Markle and Harry’s transformation into an intolerable duo, emphasizing the need to sway opinions through compelling arguments rather than exploiting royal titles they have actively undermined.
Calls for governmental intervention to curtail the couple’s use of royal titles for political and commercial motives gained traction, with one British commentator urging authorities to take action.
Proud royal enthusiast Brittany Gadhuri emphasized the distinction between Meghan Markle the American citizen and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, asserting that the latter should refrain from meddling in US politics and influencing policies using her royal status.
Critics also pointed out the irony of Markle using her royal title for advocacy efforts, especially after her husband renounced his HRH title post-Megxit, claiming a desire for a low-key public presence.
US Republican Jason Smith suggested that Markle should stick to her American household title when engaging in political activities, highlighting the need to separate her celebrity persona from her ties to the British monarchy.
In response to the backlash, Congressman Jason Smith expressed reservations about Markle’s utilization of her royal title to exert influence in American politics, citing the traditional neutrality of the royal family in political matters.
While acknowledging her right to engage in advocacy as an American citizen, Rep. Smith emphasized the importance of Markle dissociating herself from her royal connections and focusing on issues she championed before marrying into the royal family.
Despite Senators Capito and Collins being caught off guard by Markle’s calls regarding parental leave, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York confirmed facilitating the Duchess’ outreach to female senators and forewarning them about the impending calls.
Gillibrand disclosed that she had informed her colleagues in advance of Markle’s intentions to reach out, citing her incomplete calls and plans to contact additional senators in the future.
Markle’s recent push for the federal paid parental leave program through direct engagement with congressional leaders underscores her growing involvement in US policy advocacy.
In an open letter addressed to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Markle reiterated her support for the initiative, signaling her determination to leverage her platform for social causes despite facing criticism for her methods.
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