Meghan Markle’s ‘political’ letter slammed

Meghan Markle has sent a letter to US politicians advocating for paid parental leave but royal commentators have questioned her motives.

Meghan Markle has taken her first steps at attempting to forage a political career a royal expert has claimed.

The Duchess of Sussex, 40, wrote a letter to two Democratic politicians in Washington DC, making a plea for paid parental leave in the US, reports The Sun.
America currently has no system for paid parental leave, although US President Joe Biden has vowed to introduce it.

Royal experts have called her letter, addressed to Democrats Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi, a “first try” for Meghan to move into politics.

Angela Levin, author of Harry: A Biography of a Prince, said: “Meghan’s first try for a political role perhaps.

Meghan Markle is advocating for paid parental leave. Picture: AFP

“She’s writing to Nancy Pelosi and Charles Schumer ‘on behalf of all families’ to get paid leave.

“Good enough cause but what is her real motive and will hypocrisy rear its head again?”

“Dear Leader Schumer and Speaker Pelosi, I’m not an elected official, and I’m not a politician. I am, like many, an engaged citizen and a parent,” the Duchess of Sussex began in her lengthy note.

“And because you and your congressional colleagues have a role in shaping family outcomes for generations to come, that’s why I’m writing to you at this deeply important time — as a mum — to advocate for paid leave.”

She said that the pandemic – which has lasted for nearly two years at this point – “has exposed long-existing fault lines in our communities.”

She also pointed out that a large number of women have had to drop out of the workforce in order to stay home with their children while schools and childcare facilities were closed to avoid the spread of coronavirus.

“The working [mum] or parent is facing the conflict of being present or being paid. The sacrifice of either comes at a great cost,” Markle insisted. “For many, this sacrifice goes back further than the past 20 months; it’s 20 or 30 years, even longer — decades of giving time, body, and endless energy not just in the pursuit of the American dream, but simply the dream of stability.”

The former actress recalled dining at cheap restaurants as a child, which her parents has to work “hard” to afford.

Markle also reflected on her first job, working at a frozen yoghurt shop at 13, before waiting tables, babysitting and piecemealing jobs together “to cover odds and ends.” She said that despite working hard, most of her money went toward rent and gas.

“I expect many of your constituents have their own version of that story. Perhaps you do too,” she noted. “People in our country work incredibly hard, and yet the ask is soft: for a level playing field to achieve their version of a common dream — what is fair, and equal, and right. Many of our economic systems are past their expiration date, and as you well know, too many Americans are forced to short-change themselves when it comes to what matters to them.”

Royal experts have claimed Meghan Markle may be dipping her toe into politics. Picture: AFP

In the letter she spoke about being lucky enough to afford time off with Prince Harry after the birth of Lili in June. She even acknowledged her own privilege, explaining that when she and Prince Harry welcomed their daughter Lilibet in June, they “weren’t confronted with the harsh reality of either spending those first few critical months with our baby or going back to work” and didn’t “have to make impossible choices about childcare, work, and medical care that so many have to make every single day.”

“No family should be faced with these decisions,” Markle insisted. “No family should have to choose between earning a living and having the freedom to take care of their child (or a loved one, or themselves, as we would see with a comprehensive paid leave plan).”

The royal then likened taking care of a child to taking “care of your community” and taking “care of your country.”

She concluded: “So, on behalf of my family, Archie and Lili and Harry, I thank you for considering this letter, and on behalf of all families, I ask you to ensure this consequential moment is not lost.”

– with Fox News

Originally published as Meghan Markle’s ‘political’ letter slammed