Meghan Markle announced as surprise guest in Michelle Obama’s campaign to get people voting
MEGHAN Markle has been unveiled as a surprise guest at a virtual summit being held to encourage voting participation.
The Duchess of Sussex, 39, will take part in the When All Women Vote Couch Party, being held as part of the When We All Vote initiative tomorrow.
The royal mum-of-one will appear alongside Glamour editor-in-chief Samantha Berry, actor Yvette Nicole Brown, businesswoman Valerie Jarrett and DJ Diamond Kuts.
When We All Vote was launched in 2018, and boasts Michelle Obama as one of the co-chairs.
Its mission is described as being “to increase participation in every election and close the race and age voting gap by changing the culture around voting, harnessing grassroots energy, and through strategic partnerships to reach every American.”
This follows Meghan, who is currently living in Santa Barbara, confirming she will be voting in the upcoming US presidential election and urging people to vote.
HOW TO WATCH MEGHAN AT THE WHEN WE ALL VOTE EVENT
You can virtually tune into the event from around the world on Thursday August 20.
Meghan Markle will be appearing at 5pm ET (which is 10pm in the UK).
You can register for the event
The virtual summit is described as aiming to honour “the 19th Amendment, celebrate the women of color who have fought to make the promise of the 19th Amendment a reality for ALL women, and highlight the need to expand voting rights for marginalized communities.”
Meghan spoke to earlier this month about the importance of voting.
She said: “I know what it's like to have a voice, and also what it's like to feel voiceless.
“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 then shared a quote from New Zealand's most famous suffragist leader Kate Sheppard, which she claims is one of her favourites.
She continued: “Do not think your single vote does not matter much.
“The rain that refreshes the parched ground is made up of single drops.”
Meghan added: “That is why I vote.”
Royal family members are traditionally expected to remain politically neutral, but the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped down as senior royals in March.
The Duchess of Sussex was said to be "frustrated" by the strictly apolitical stance she had to take after marrying Prince Harry, but believes she can now speak freely after the pair quit as working royals.
According to the Daily Mail, friends say the actress "has strong political opinions and will now take advantage of the greater freedom she has to express them publicly".
Before becoming involved with Harry and the Royals, Markle had attacked Donald Trump dubbing him "misogynistic" and "divisive" during his 2016 presidential campaign.
The ex-Suits actress also pledged to vote for his rival Hillary Clinton.
When told of Meghan’s views by The Sun, Mr Trump insisted it was the first time he’d heard them.
He said: “I didn’t know that. What can I say? I didn’t know that she was nasty.”
At the time, Meghan had also threatened to leave the US for Canada if he won in 2016.
She has since splashed out on a £11million mansion in Santa Barbara, over an hour's drive from LA, with Prince Harry.
She's also buddies with Justin Trudeau and herself and Harry have forged a close friendship with Barack and Michelle Obama.
And the Sussexes' communications secretary, Sara Latham previously worked for Hillary Clinton.
Two years ago, rumours circulated that Meghan had once confided in a friend that her ultimate goal was to become President.
According to sources, she admitted the ambitious goal after beginning her relationship with Harry.
And in 2015, she reportedly told Piers Morgan: "As a kid, I wanted to be either the president or a news broadcaster like you".
Former editor of The Times, Sir Simon Jenkins has said: "Her friends and associates affirm that she is a political animal. Such is her fame, she could perfectly well follow a route taken by a certain Ronald Reagan.
"She might lead for the Democrats against a Republican Ivanka Trump. All I can say is, why not?"
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We recently shared how Meghan is paying for her multi-million pound California mansion from Suits reruns on Netflix.
And Meghan previously raved about her ‘love’ for Santa Barbara six years before buying her mega mansion with Prince Harry.