Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are steering clear of endorsing any specific candidate in the upcoming presidential election. 

Through their Archewell Foundation, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have launched initiatives to promote voter registration and civic engagement while maintaining a stance of political neutrality.

In a statement released on National Voter Registration Day, the Archewell Foundation emphasized the importance of voting as a fundamental right and a crucial means of shaping communities. The foundation has taken concrete steps to encourage voter participation, including writing personalized letters to unregistered voters urging them to register.

The couple’s approach marks a shift from their involvement in the 2020 election when they faced criticism for comments perceived as indirectly supporting Joe Biden over Donald Trump. This time, they appear to be treading more carefully, focusing on nonpartisan voter engagement rather than aligning with any particular candidate or party.

Despite their efforts to remain neutral, the Sussexes’ political involvement continues to draw attention and criticism. Greg Swenson, chairman of Republicans Overseas UK, accused the couple of “ballot harvesting” for Vice President Kamala Harris, although there is no evidence to support this claim. Swenson suggested that Harry and Meghan are trying to endear themselves to “Hollywood woke elites” who are likely to support Harris.

The couple’s decision to maintain political neutrality comes amid ongoing tensions with former President Donald Trump. In March 2024, Trump suggested in an interview with Nigel Farage on GB News that Harry could face deportation from the United States over drug use allegations stemming from Harry’s memoir, “Spare.” Trump stated, “We’ll have to see if they know something about the drugs, and if he lied they’ll have to take appropriate action.”

Trump’s comments highlight the potential risks Prince Harry and Meghan face in the political arena. Some experts believe that if Trump were to win the 2024 election, he might use his presidential powers to target the couple, possibly by reopening investigations into Harry’s visa status.

In 2020, Meghan described that year’s election as “the most important election of our lifetime,” while Harry urged voters to “reject hate speech, misinformation, and online negativity.” These comments led to accusations that the couple had breached the British royal family’s tradition of political neutrality.

The British royal family is expected to remain apolitical, a principle that still applies to Harry and Meghan despite their decision to step back from royal duties. Their careful messaging in this election cycle suggests an awareness of the controversy their previous comments generated.

While Meghan, as a U.S. citizen, has the right to vote, Prince Harry’s status is different. He recently declared America as his new home country but has stated that obtaining American citizenship is not a high priority for him at present.

The Archewell Foundation’s voter engagement efforts include providing links to resources such as Vote Forward’s website and Vote.gov. The foundation’s statement concludes with a call to action: “Together, let’s make sure every eligible voter is informed and empowered to participate in shaping America’s future.”

Despite their attempts to maintain neutrality, the couple’s past comments and actions continue to fuel speculation about their political leanings. In 2016, before her marriage to Prince Harry, Meghan called Trump “divisive” and “misogynistic.” Trump later responded to these comments, saying he “didn’t know that she was nasty,” although he added that he thought she would do “excellently” as a member of the royal family.

The couple’s focus on civic engagement aligns with broader nonpartisan efforts to increase voter turnout and participation in the democratic process. However, in the current polarized political climate, even seemingly neutral actions can be interpreted through a partisan lens.

As the election season progresses, it remains to be seen whether Harry and Meghan will maintain their current approach or if events will prompt them to take a more definitive stance. For now, their message emphasizes the importance of every voice in the democratic process, regardless of political affiliation.