Meghan Markle found criticism over asking people to vote in US election 'difficult' as it was 'uncontroversial'

‘Finding Freedom’ author Carolyn Durand was told by a source close to Meghan Markle that the duchess found criticisms over encouraging people to vote in the November election “difficult” as it is what most public figures, politicians, philanthropists, and humanitarians do. Speaking to Elle.com, the source said to Durand, “She thought she was saying something relatively uncontroversial, which is people should get involved and vote. Then, it gets spun into a whole other thing. There are people, especially in the tabloids, that will use whatever they can to go after this couple. There is no doubt there is an agenda."

Continuing further, the insider added: “The Duke and Duchess believe in civic action, civic duty, social responsibility, and an element of that is participating in the democratic process, so all they have said is that they encourage people to get involved. What they’re trying to do with the foundation is link a lot of the issues they believe in and find the connective tissue in all of it and actually find potential solutions. It is worrying and frustrating things get distorted so easily and readily on a regular basis. She [Meghan] now feels, [and] admits, as she said the other day, she has to be constantly careful about what she says and stick to what she thinks will not be controversial. Even telling people to get involved in the democratic process should not be a controversial subject."

Meghan has been constantly criticized recently for getting “political”, which is not something expected from a member of the British royal. They are supposed to remain politically neutral. But the former actress has broken the tradition after stepping down from senior royal duties along with her husband, Prince Harry. Both of them recently participated in a video message for Times 100 urging people of America to vote. The Duke of Sussex 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." 

While Meghan called the presidential election the "most important election of our lifetime". She mentioned, “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."

After their comments, a spokesman for Buckingham Palace said, “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." A former royal adviser added, “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?"