Meghan Markle revealed that she is planning to vote in the US presidential election in November, Breaking royal tradition, according to People magazine on Tuesday.
Markle recently shared her reasons for voting in Marie Claire magazine, along with 99 other influential women that include Michelle Obama, Meghan McCain and Oprah Winfrey.
“I know what it’s like to have a voice, and also what it’s like to feel voiceless,” Markle told Marie Claire. “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.”
Meghan Markle opens up about why she's voting in our August 2020 digital issue: "I know what it's like to have a voice, and also what it's like to feel voiceless."https://t.co/Z9v5dGR9l8 pic.twitter.com/LWg0IARkaF
— Marie Claire (@marieclaire) August 11, 2020
Markle also referenced a quote from Kate Sheppard, who was a leader of the suffragist movement in New Zealand. “Do not think your single vote does not matter much. The rain that refreshes the parched ground is made up of single drops.”
“That is why I vote,” Markle concluded.
Traditionally, the British royal family remains politically neutral and does not vote in elections, according to People. However, there is no law that forbids members of the royal family from voting.
Markle and Prince Harry stepped down from their positions as senior members of the royal family earlier this year, according to The Hill. Since then, the couple has become more involved in charitable work and spoken out on social issues.
Later this week, Markle will moderate a discussion during the 19th Represents Virtual Summit, which will feature speakers like Sen. Kamala Harris, Hillary Clinton and Stacey Abrams, according to The Hill.