Meghan Markle has been billed as an “interesting candidate” for Americans as her dream of one day making a stunning move into US politics receives a huge revival.
The Duchess of Sussex was linked to the Senate seat left vacant by the death of Dianne Feinstein last week before California Governor Gavin Newsom opted for Democratic strategist Laphonza Butler on an interim basis.
Meghan and Prince Harry are looking to forge a new career away from the Royal Family with the former actress often rumored to be eyeing a move into US politics, while it has previously been reported that she was receiving guidance from Newsom.
She even came out in force in 2020 to urge Americans to vote in the presidential election in terms that seemingly reflected thinly veiled opposition to Republican frontrunner Donald Trump.
If the former actress decides to enter US politics, she would come under huge pressure from Conservatives to be stripped of her royal titles.
But Eric Schiffer, chair of Reputation Management Consultants, told Newsweek: “Americans are not going to be biased by titles.
“They’re going to look at confidence and they’re going to look at likability and whether she really supports and will fight for the issues that matter.
“We do know that Megan has a deep track record in fighting for the environment and for mental health, for young people and for equality, and if those issues are on the ballot, she would be an interesting candidate.”
However, Nile Gardiner, director of the Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom at the conservative think tank Heritage Foundation, has lashed out at the prospect of Meghan entering US politics.
The Washington-based foreign policy expert believes she should have to relinquish her royal titles if she begins political campaigning.
He told Newsweek: “It’s wrong for the Duchess of Sussex to be engaging in US political activity. She’s a member of the royal family, she has a royal title.
“She’s not a working royal but she carries the title Duchess of Sussex, and in my view, if she starts campaigning politically she should relinquish that title or it should be removed by the Royal Family.
“Definitely the calls for the removal of her title will be accelerated if she decides to start campaigning for Joe Biden or Congressional candidates. She should not be engaging in any political activity as a royal.”
Meghan has made a series of public interventions into US politics since she and Harry relocated to the US in 2020, lobbying politicians in the country for changes to parental leave and climate policy.
Last year, she was interviewed by feminist pioneer Gloria Steinem for Vogue, where she spoke about the US Supreme Court overturning the historic ruling from the Wade v Roe case in 1973 on abortion.
Joe Biden’s sister Valerie Biden Owens, who is also his political strategist, had reportedly endorsed Meghan as a potential candidate for the hot seat.
The Duchess also topped a poll in which Democrats were asked which women they would vote for – tying with vice president Kamala Harris and in front of former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, according to MailOnline.