The 2020 U.S. presidential election became more historical as a British royal family member joined in voting for America's new set of leaders.


First Time in British Royal Family: Meghan Markle Votes in the US Presidential Election

(Photo : Ben Stansall-WPA Pool/Getty Images)
The Duchess Of Sussex Visits The Robert Clack Upper School In Dagenham LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 06: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex speaks during a special school assembly at the Robert Clack Upper School in Dagenham ahead of International Women’s Day (IWD) held on Sunday 8th March, on March 6, 2020 in London, England.

Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle, the wife of Prince Harry, is the first modern royal family who voted in the U.S. presidential election, Fox News confirmed.

Together with their son, Meghan and Harry are settling into their recently bought home in Santa Barbara, California.

The 39-year-old former actress put her words into action and voted by mail, reports said. An unnamed source also confirmed that the princess joined her fellow Americans in casting ballots for the election.

According to Page Six, the insider told them that the "Suits" star would have voted even if she is still in the United Kingdom.

The insider also told the news outlet that the Duchess of Sussex would not miss voting in the election no matter where she lives. Meghan was an American before she became a royal. 

Markle has created history by casting her ballot and by becoming the first modern royal who voted in a U.S. presidential election, as per E! News. 

In May 2018, Markle became a British royal after tying the knot with Harry. She was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. 

The Duchess of Sussex is expected to remain politically neutral, like her husband, who is a royal family member. 

Read also: Meghan Markle, Prince Harry Encourage Everyone to Vote During Their First Primetime TV

Markle and Harry stepped down as senior members of the royal family and moved to the U.S. in March.

The princess was very vocal regarding the value of voting. She encouraged people to cast their ballots in the election in several events.  

The Duchess of Sussex joined the virtual event "When All Women Vote #CouchParty" in August. Markle urged her fellow Americans to bring change in the nation. 

Several British personalities opposed the Duchess' statement and faced a lot of criticism for it. 

Meanwhile, Markle joined a long list of personalities who voted early in the election. Celebrities who also voted early are:

  • Selena Gomez
  • Jessica Alba
  • Elizabeth Banks
  • Reese Witherspoon
  • Jensen Ackles
  • Whoopi Goldberg
  • Kerry Washington
  •  Madonna
  • Joe Jonas
  • Will Ferrell
  • Camila Cabello
  • Elle Fanning
  • Tracee Ellis Ross
  • Zoe Kravitz 

Royal family encouraged to avoid speaking about politics

Members of the royal family are encouraged not to speak publicly about politics. Meaning, they must stay out of the elections too. According to IBT, Meghan Markle is one of the very few Americans to join the royal family. 

It was revealed in August that Meghan plans to cast a ballot. The royal member has been very vocal in encouraging Americans to vote. Markle told Marie Claire magazine: "I know what it's like to have a voice, and also what it's like to feel voiceless."  

In September, the royal couple appeared on ABC's TIME100 special, and they were introduced and honored without their royal titles. The ABC special marked the TIME Magazine's annual 100 lists of the world's most influential personalities.

Related article: Meghan Markle Intends to Keep American Citizenship to Get Into Politics