Meghan Markle Faces Backlash for Lobbying US Senators with Royal Title

Meghan Markle faced criticism on Thursday after reports revealed she had been reaching out to US Senators on their personal phone numbers, using her royal title while advocating for the controversial $3.5 trillion spending bill.

The former UK royal, rumored to have political aspirations, surprised GOP lawmakers with calls urging for federal paid parental leave under President Biden's agenda, as per Politico.

Senator Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia shared her surprise when she received a call from a blocked number, initially assuming it was Senator Joe Manchin.

Similarly, Senator Susan Collins of Maine recounted receiving a call from Prince Harry's wife, known for her public split from the royal family and accusations of racism during a televised interview.

The news of Markle's cold calls and her reliance on her duchess title quickly sparked outrage among various circles.

Critics questioned her use of the royal title in political matters, with one voter bluntly stating, “Good grief.

Who do you think you are?”

Political commentator Darren Grimes labeled it as further evidence of Markle and Harry's perceived arrogance.

GB News host Colin Brazier advised that if one resorts to cold-calling, it should be based on the strength of the argument rather than leveraging a royal title that they have distanced themselves from.

Amid the backlash, calls emerged for the government to intervene and prohibit the couple from using their titles for political or commercial purposes.

Social media buzzed with opinions, including one from royal enthusiast Brittany Gadhuri, who underscored the distinction between Meghan Markle the American citizen and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, emphasizing the inappropriateness of using her title to influence US policies.

The irony of Markle's actions was not lost on critics who highlighted her husband's earlier pledge to lead a low-key life post-Megxit.

US Congressman Jason Smith joined the chorus of disapproval, suggesting that Markle should refrain from invoking her royal title when engaging in American politics.

Smith raised concerns about the royal family's traditional neutrality in political matters, emphasizing the need for Markle to separate her advocacy efforts from her royal connections.

While some view her involvement as leveraging her celebrity status for a cause, Smith emphasized the importance of maintaining her identity beyond her royal ties.

Senators Capito and Collins admitted they were caught off guard by Markle's calls regarding paid parental leave, a cause she has been actively promoting.

However, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York confirmed that she had informed her colleagues about Markle's outreach, having facilitated some of the initial calls.

Gillibrand disclosed that Markle had reached out to only a few senators and was planning to contact others, indicating a proactive approach in her advocacy efforts.

Markle's previous appeal to Congress for the federal paid parental leave program through a letter addressed to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer further underscored her commitment to the cause.

As the debate surrounding her involvement in US politics intensifies, Markle's use of her royal title continues to draw scrutiny, prompting reflections on the boundaries between celebrity influence and political engagement.