Royals: Prince Harry to head to New York as Meghan Markle warned ‘steer clear’ of politics

Prince Harry will honour war veterans in New York despite losing his military titles, as Meghan Markle faces being stripped of her royal rank after meddling in politics.

Prince Harry will head to New York this week to honour veterans ahead of Remembrance Sunday.

Prince Harry, 37, is a war veteran, having served two tours in Afghanistan, and will help hand out five prizes on board a warship in New York Harbour.

According to The Sun, the non-working royal was embroiled in controversy surrounding tributes last year after he was not allowed to have a wreath laid on his behalf at the Cenotaph.

However, Harry can no longer wear uniform in public as he was stripped of his honorary military titles when he quit royal duty and decamped from Britain to North America.

Prince Harry in 2017, before he was stripped of his honorary military titles. Picture: AFP

Meanwhile, Palace aides have warned the Duchess of Sussex should “steer clear” of politics after she cold called politicians using her royal title and lobbied for paid paternity leave.

Some American politicians have been mystified at the former Suits actress reaching out to them while using her “Duchess” title as a calling card, and there have been calls to strip Markle of her royal moniker for meddling in US politics.

The Duchess on 20 October wrote to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer advocating for paid family leave – a letter that was handed out to several media outlets.

Markle has now been asked to attend a bipartisan dinner with all 21 female US women senators

Kirsten Gillibrand, senator for New York revealed she plans to invite Markle to a women’s dinner she is hosting in the coming month to give her a platform to discuss paid leave.

Gillibrand said of the invite: “I could hear how sincere she was about advocacy.”

PIERS: ‘PINOCCHIO PRINCESS’ SHOULD BE STRIPPED OF TITLE

It comes as TV firebrand Piers Morgan took to social media to claim it is “outrageous” that Meghan Markle is using her royal title to pressure politicians to bring about change by reportedly cold calling American senators.

On Twitter, Morgan posted: “Just outrageous for Princess Pinocchio to use her royal title for political lobbying like this.

“The Queen must stop the Sussexes causing such endless damage to the Monarchy’s reputation.

He ended his post by writing: “Take their titles away”.

Piers Morgan wants Meghan Markle stripped of her royal title after she lobbied politicians over maternity leave. Picture: Karwai Tang/WireImage

According to The Sun, the TV firebrand, a longstanding critic of Meghan and Harry, was fuming after learning the royal is allegedly lobbying America’s Republican senators on their private phones.

One such politician, Senator Susan Collins, from Maine, claimed she was disregarding the royal’s outreach, saying she was more interested in what her constituents have to say.

According to The Sun, Markle called a number of politicians on their private phones and used her title to lobby for paid paternity leave.

She called Republican Senators Susan Collins from Maine and Shelley Moore Capito from West Virginia – and both said they were shocked that Markle called out of the blue.

Recalling the conversation she had with Markle, Ms Collins said: “Much to my surprise, she called me on my private line and she introduced herself as the Duchess of Sussex, which is kind of ironic.

“I was happy to talk with her, but I’m more interested in what the people of Maine are telling me about it.”

Meghan Markle has been targeting America’s conservative senators and calling them as Duchess of Sussex. Picture: Angela Weiss / AFP

Senator Capito said she was driving when her private phone rang.

“I’m in my car. I’m driving. It says ‘caller ID blocked’,” the senator said.

“And she goes, ‘Senator Capito?’ I said, ‘Yes?’ She said, ‘This is Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex.’”

Meanwhile, Republican congressman Jason Smith – who represents Missouri – blasted Markle for “interfering”.

He told TMZ: “If she wants to be a royal, she needs to be a royal – she can’t have it both ways.

“But when you lobby U.S. senators, as Meghan Markle has done – as: ‘I’m Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex’ – she’s lobbying Congress and interfering from a position of using her royal title.”

He urged the duchess to instead introduce herself as “I’m Meghan Markle, the former star of Suits”.

It comes as furious republicans tell Markle to “stick to acting” following her “politically motivated” letter to Congress.

The Duchess of Sussex wrote a lengthy plea to two Democratic politicians in Washington DC in which she advocated for paid family leave.

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

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle speak during the 2021 Global Citizen Live festival at the Great Lawn, Central Park in New York City. Picture: Angela Weiss / AFP

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

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

She wrote in her letter: “I’m not an elected official, and I’m not a politician. I am, like many, an engaged citizen and a parent.

“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 mom – to advocate for paid leave.”

America currently has no system for paid parental leave, although President Joe Biden has vowed to introduce it.

However, although admitting that there was a “good enough cause” – many would “question her real motive” amid accusations of “hypocrisy”.

Lisa McClain, a Republican representative for Michigan, believed that Markle’s attempt was “incredibly out of touch with the American people,” adding that she should “stick to acting instead of trying to play politics”.

Idris Elba revealed DJing at Harry and Meghan’s wedding was “stressful”. Picture: John Phillips/Getty Images for BFI

Meanwhile, Idris Elba has revealed that DJing at Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s wedding reception was the most “stressful” gig he has ever had.

The Luther actor, 49, provided the musical entertainment at the couple’s nuptials at Windsor in May 2018 – and says that Meg, 40, took the reins when it came to song choice.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Elba said: “Meghan had sent me a playlist, so I knew what she wanted already.”

Elba, who has also performed for A-listers such as Madonna, admitted that the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex was his most “high pressure gig.”

Asked which of his sets had been his most stressful, he said: “This wasn’t at the community hall — the reception, this was a big, big deal.

“They’re (Meghan and Harry) good friends and I wanted to make sure they had a great time, so there was a lot of pressure.”