Meghan Markle made a bold plea to women across the US to take part in the upcoming presidential election, speaking out about the need for ‘change’ at an online voter summit, while telling participants: ‘If we aren’t part of the solution, we are part of the problem.’
The 39-year-old made her stance on the 2020 presidential race incredibly clear when she addressed viewers at the When All Women Vote Couch Party – an online event organized by non-profit organization When We All Vote, which was founded by ‘her friend’ Michelle Obama.
Appearing as the opening speaker at the summit, Meghan expressed her ‘excitement’ at taking part, before telling those involved with the organization: ‘We need [your work] now more than ever.’
Speaking out: Meghan Markle urged women across the US to vote in the 2020 election, telling a digital voter summit, ‘If we are not part of the solution, we are part of the problem’
Making a statement: The 39-year-old did not name the candidate who she plans to vote for, but made clear her political stance, telling the summit to vote for ‘the change we all need’
‘I’m really thrilled that you asked me to be a part of this,’ the mother-of-one began, adding: ‘I think this is such an exceptional time [and I am] happy to be here for my friend Michelle Obama’s When We All Vote, and to kick off the When All Women Vote Couch Party.’
Speaking directly to the volunteers and workers tuned into the summit, Meghan continued: ‘It is fair to say that we are all very grateful for your work because we need it now really more than ever.’
Although the Duchess of Sussex has not named the candidate that she plans to vote for in the election, she made it incredibly clear that she believes there needs to be a change to the current administration, warning summit participants that ‘there is so much work to be done’ before they cast their votes.
‘When I think about voting and why this is so exceptionally important for all of us, I would frame it as: We vote to honor those who came before us and to protect those who will come after us because that’s what community is all about and that’s specifically what this election is all about,’ she said.
‘We’re only 75 days away from election day and that is so very close and yet there is so much work to be done in that amount of time because we all know what is at stake this year.
‘I know it, I think all of you certainly know it. And if you’re here on this fun event with us then you are just as mobilized and energized to see the change that we all need and deserve.’
Meghan’s appearance at the summit comes just one week after she confirmed her plans to vote in the 2020 election, while speaking to Marie Claire about the importance of voting.
At the time the Duchess also shared a poignant quote from New Zealand’s most famous suffragist leader Kate Sheppard, revealing that both she and husband Prince Harry ‘have referred to [her words] often’ for inspiration and guidance.
Last minute addition: The mother-of-one’s participation in the online event was only announced on Wednesday, one day before it took place
‘I know what it’s like to have a voice, and also what it’s like to feel voiceless,’ Meghan said.
‘I also know that so many men and women have put their lives on the line for us to be heard.
‘And that opportunity, that fundamental right, is in our ability to exercise our right to vote and to make all of our voices heard.’
She then shared a quote from Sheppard – New Zealand’s most outspoken suffragist leader whom Meghan has previously quoted – explaining that it is ‘one of her favorites’ and ‘one that my husband and I have referred to often’.
‘Do not think your single vote does not matter much,’ the quote begins. ‘The rain that refreshes the parched ground is made up of single drops.’
Meghan concluded: ‘That is why I vote.’
The former Suits star’s decision to speak out about her political plans marks yet another major break from royal tradition for Meghan; traditionally members of the monarchy are expected to remain politically neutral, and therefore do not speak out about their opinions in public.
However, Meghan confirming to the world that she will be voting in the presidential election will come as no surprise to those closest to her – particularly after it was revealed by a royal source in January that the Duchess of Sussex was aiming to become more ‘politically engaged’ after she and Prince Harry quit their roles as senior royals at the start of the year.
At the time, an insider told the Daily Mail that Meghan had grown ‘frustrated’ by the fact that she was not able to be actively involved in politics while she was a senior member of the monarchy, and that she wanted to ‘take advantage’ of the freedom to share her opinions with the world.
‘The Duchess is said to be frustrated that she was forced to stay out of politics after getting engaged to Harry,’ the source said.
‘She has strong political opinions and will now take advantage of the greater freedom she has to express them publicly.’
Meghan did not reveal who she is planning to vote for the in the upcoming election – however, before marrying Prince Harry, she was incredibly outspoken about her dislike of President Donald Trump, branding him ‘misogynistic’ and ‘divisive’ during a talk appearance in 2016, shortly after he had won the election.
When Trump made an official state visit to the UK in June 2019, Meghan did not join the other royals in meeting him – a move that some royal sources claimed was her way of showing her disapproval of the President, although officially, her absence was blamed on the fact that she was still on maternity leave.
However, it was revealed in November 2019 that Meghan had invited Hillary Clinton to visit her and baby Archie at Frogmore Cottage – the family’s home in the UK – where the two women were said to have enjoyed a ‘very warm, sweet’ meeting.
Meghan’s interview with Marie Claire is not the first time that she has spoken out about the importance of voting however; during an official visit to New Zealand with Prince Harry in 2018, the Duchess of Sussex marked the 125th anniversary of women getting the right to vote by once again quoting Sheppard during a speech at Government House.
‘The achievements of the women in New Zealand who campaigned for their right to vote, and were the first in the world to achieve it, are universally admired,’ Meghan said at the time, before going on to praise the country’s suffrage movement.
‘Women’s suffrage is not simply about the right to vote for women but also about what that represents: the basic and fundamental right of all people, including those members of society who have been marginalized, whether through reasons of race, gender, ethnicity or orientation, to be able to participate in the choices for their future and their community.’
Meghan then concluded her speech by sharing another quote from Sheppard: ‘All that separates, whether race, class, creed, or sex, is inhumane, and must be overcome.’
The Marie Claire interview is also not the first occasion that Meghan has shared her ‘favorite’ Sheppard quote.
In November 2018, during their official visit to New Zealand, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex shared the suffragist leader’s words on Kensington Palace’s official Instagram account, while posting an image of Meghan cradling her baby bump while surrounded by giant redwood trees in Rotorua.
Along with the quote from Sheppard, the couple thanked the people of New Zealand for a ‘wonderful’ visit.