Meghan Markle ‘using her title out of context’ as palace aide warns she must ‘steer clear’ of politics after cold calls
MEGHAN Markle is "using her title out of context" for political lobbying, senior royal sources have said.
Palace aides warned the Duchess of Sussex should "steer clear" of politics after she cold called politicians using her royal title and lobbied for paid paternity leave.
Constitutionally, members of the Royal Family are obliged to be “above politics” and politically neutral.
Two Republican Senators said they had been called on their private phones before Meghan introduced herself as the Duchess of Sussex and petitioned them about paternal leave - a controversial subject in the US.
One palace aide described the intervention as “outrageous” while another told : “As a member of the royal family, if you use the title, it means you steer clear of those kinds of things.
"Otherwise you’re using the title out of context and people will question your motive."
The source added that the Royal Family has "no say" in American politics.
"Campaigning is important, but there’s a difference between campaigning on ‘issues’ like the environment and mental health, and aligning yourself with policies," they said.
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“The Duchess of Sussex doesn’t have the right to have a more powerful voice [on the issue] than any other mother in America.
"She should not be playing in politics.”
Meghan called Republican Senators Susan Collins from Maine and Shelley Moore Capito from West Virginia.
A source close to the duchess said she had contacted them “in her personal capacity as an engaged citizen”.
But both Collins and Moore said they were shocked to hear from Meghan out of the blue.
Senator Collins said: "I was happy to talk with her, but I'm more interested in what people from Maine are telling me about paid leave".
According to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Meghan is now hoping to be part of "a working group to work on paid leave long term".
And both noted she used her royal title to speak with them.
'POLITICALLY MOTIVATED'
It comes after furious republicans told Meghan Markle to “stick to acting” following her “politically motivated” letter to Congress.
The Duchess of Sussex wrote a lengthy plea to two Democratic lawmakers in Washington DC in which she advocated for paid family leave.
Megan insisted that the plea was sent as an American and a “mum” and not a politician.
She wrote in her letter: “I'm not an elected official, and I'm not a politician. I am, like many, an engaged citizen and a parent.
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“And because you and your congressional colleagues have a role in shaping family outcomes for generations to come, that's why I'm writing to you at this deeply important time – as a mom – to advocate for paid leave.”
America currently has no system for paid parental leave, although President Joe Biden has vowed to introduce it.