Harry and Meghan 'not working members of royal family', says Buckingham Palace amid row over US election remarks
Buckingham Palace seems to have washed off its hands of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in light of the comments they made regarding US politics.
The couple had 'told Americans to vote out Trump' and had broken royal protocol by commenting on the same. Royal insiders believe that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had 'crossed a line' by speaking out about the US election on November 3.
Harry urged voters to "reject hate speech, misinformation and online negativity" while Meghan had called the presidential race the "most important election of our lifetime" as the pair urged Americans to use their right and definitely vote. While speaking in a Time 100 video message, Harry, who isn't a US citizen, shared that he was not eligible to vote during the November 3 election and added that he had never voted in the UK either where the royals are expected to remain politically neutral.
As per Time, Harry said, "As we approach this November, it's vital that we reject hate speech, misinformation and online negativity. When the bad outweighs the good, for many, whether we realize it or not, it erodes our ability to have compassion and our ability to put ourself in someone else's shoes. Because when one person buys into negativity online, the effects are felt exponentially. It's time to not only reflect, but act."
A spokesman for Buckingham Palace shared, "We would not comment. The Duke is not a working member of the Royal Family and any comments he makes are made in a personal capacity." While speaking to MailOnline, royal experts shared that the couple should give up their titles and cut off their links to the monarchy for good should they want to comment on US politics.
A former royal adviser had told The Times that Harry and Meghan's comments were most likely going to cause 'concern' amongst royal aides. The adviser shared, "The political arena is very sensitive for all members of the royal family. You cannot have an apolitical institution, which is what a hereditary monarchy is, and have members of the royal family making even slightly political comments."
"Courtiers would be extremely concerned that if they are going to continue to comment on what could be the most contentious US presidential election in living memory, how difficult could that get?" the adviser added.
Former Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker who wrote the book 'And What Do You Do? What The Royal Family Don't Want You To Know' believes that Harry should not be speaking out about US politics given he is still a representative of the UK.
Baker shared with MailOnline, "I think it's appropriate for any private citizen to comment on the US election. The problem is that Harry has retained his HRH status and is not a private citizen but still a representative of this country. He needs to stop trying to have a foot in both camps - royal when it suits him and private when it doesn't. Or to turn on its head the old phrase, I agree with what he says but disagree with his right to say it."
Meghan said, "Every four years we are told the same thing, that this is the most important election of our lifetime. But this one is. When we vote, our values are put into action and our voices are heard. Your voice is a reminder that you matter, because you do and you deserve to be heard." Even though Harry and Meghan did not endorse a candidate, their comments earned them a lot of backlash.