Royal family relaxed about Meghan's political ambitions: 'She's no longer a member, free to do what she wants'
After a recent report claiming that Meghan Markle had not "ruled out a career in politics" after she and Prince Harry quit the royal family back in March, we asked a royal expert if the monarch or any of the other members of The Firm would have any issues if the Duchess of Sussex were to run for the president of the United States one day.
Penny Junor, the royal biographer who has authored books like 'Diana, Princess of Wales' (1982), 'Charles, Prince of Wales' (1987 and 1998) and 'Charles and Diana: Portrait of a Marriage' (1991), told MEA WorldWide that it was highly unlikely that Meghan's in-laws would have "a problem with her chasing her political ambitions", especially after she and her husband severed all ties with them.
"I imagine they would be very relaxed about Meghan pursuing her political aspirations. She is no longer a working member of the family so is free to do whatever she wants, provided she doesn’t use her royal connection. But she is so well-known she wouldn’t need to," she said.
Last year in November, Junor told MEAWW that although Meghan was "politically aware and I am sure she takes a very keen interest in what’s going on in the U.S. at the moment", she will be "surprised if she had any intention of running for President any time soon. She is busy having babies and coming to terms with life as a working member of the British royal family. And I would say that the two roles are incompatible," she added. "It is more likely the 38-year-old will continue to speak about women’s empowerment and equality without ever committing to any particular political profile in the U.S," she said back then.
At the time, Junor's comments came after Nick Bullen, an executive producer, who has worked closely with Harry’s father, Prince Charles, for eight years and has made programs about the British Royal family for at least 10 years, released a new documentary titled 'Meghan for President?'
The documentary took a look at the journey of the former 'Suits' star - from attending her first anti-war protest at the age of 10 to becoming a TV actress to marrying a prince, now sixth in line to the throne. It also weighed in on the possibility of Meghan, who has been outspoken on the issues of gender and racial equality, taking a keen interest in the politics of her homeland, especially since she retained her U.S. citizenship.
When Junor had told us that "the whole idea is very unlikely" but added it would not be a "hugely big deal for his wife to be involved in the politics of another country," Meghan was still living in England, not having announced any desire to leave the royal family behind for the unprecedented announcement came in January of this year.
Back then there was speculation Prince Harry would need to give up his noble title and all he is entitled to if his wife decides to pursue a definitive political role overseas. This was because members of the Royal family are supposed to be apolitical. As a result, they don't tend to make their subjective political views public.