Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has come under fire for leveraging her royal title in a new political campaign, despite having stepped back from her official royal duties.
The 40-year-old former actress has been criticized for using her title to cold call US politicians, advocating for a national paid leave policy.
Senator Susan Collins, a moderate Republican, recently received a surprise call from Meghan Markle on her private line.
Collins expressed astonishment at the call, noting that Meghan introduced herself as the Duchess of Sussex.
This move has raised eyebrows, with critics questioning the appropriateness of using a royal title for political lobbying.
Royal expert Angela Levin emphasized the importance of adhering to protocol, even after stepping down from official royal duties.
Levin highlighted the significance of maintaining good manners and proper behavior, especially when using royal titles.
She suggested that Meghan should have followed the traditional protocol of arranging meetings through secretaries instead of cold calling politicians.
Commenting on the situation, GB News host Colin Brazier noted Meghan’s strategic understanding of corporate image-building as she and Prince Harry establish themselves as public figures in the United States.
Despite the controversy surrounding her actions, some have defended Meghan’s right to advocate for causes she believes in, even if it involves unconventional methods like cold calling politicians.
Senator Shelley Moore Capito shared her experience of receiving a call from Meghan while driving, initially mistaking it for a call from another senator.
Meghan’s call was aimed at lobbying for a national parental paid leave policy, aligning with her recent advocacy efforts in the political sphere.
However, her approach of immediately introducing herself as the Duchess of Sussex has drawn criticism for being presumptuous.
The issue of Meghan’s continued use of her royal title has reignited debates about whether she and Prince Harry should retain their titles following their decision to step back from royal duties.
While calls for stripping them of their titles have surfaced, the strict regulations governing the removal of titles granted by the Crown pose a challenge to such actions, typically reserved for cases of treason or criminal convictions.
Despite the controversies surrounding her actions, Meghan remains committed to championing causes close to her heart, using her platform to advocate for social issues.
As she navigates her role as a public figure in the US, Meghan’s approach to activism and engagement with political figures continues to spark discussions about the intersection of royalty and advocacy in the modern era.
In a landscape where traditional boundaries between royalty and activism are evolving, Meghan Markle’s bold initiatives have sparked both support and criticism.
Her unorthodox methods of engaging with political figures reflect a departure from traditional royal protocols, signaling a shift towards a more hands-on approach to advocacy and social change.
As Meghan Markle forges ahead with her political campaign, utilizing her royal title to amplify her message, the debate over the appropriate use of royal privileges in advocacy efforts intensifies.
While some view her actions as a breach of protocol, others applaud her for leveraging her platform to drive meaningful change and influence policy discussions on a global scale.