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MAKING HER MARK

Meghan Markle becomes first royal to vote after ‘casting early mail ballot’ in 2020 election

MEGHAN Markle has become the first modern royal to vote in a US presidential election after casting an early mail ballot, a source has claimed.

reportedly "couldn't wait" to cast her vote via a mail-in ballot.

Markle cast her vote via a mail-in ballot
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Markle cast her vote via a mail-in ballotCredit: The Mega Agency
The Sussexes came under fire for weighing in on the election from UK pundits like Piers Morgan
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The Sussexes came under fire for weighing in on the election from UK pundits like Piers Morgan Credit: Splash News

Centuries-old tradition dictates that members of the British monarchy remain politically neutral, and so voluntarily refrain from casting votes.

American divorcee Wallis Simpson's relationship with King Edward VIII led to him abdicating the throne in 1936 but it isn't known if Simpson voted in a US election.

"Meghan was an American long before she was a royal," the insider told on Tuesday. "She wouldn’t miss voting in this election no matter where she was living.”

and Prince Harry, 36, received some pushback when they weighed in on the US recently.

Prince Harry isn't a US citizen and so can't vote. It is unknown who Meghan voted for, but she has hinted in the past that she is not a fan of .

American divorcee Wallis Simpson's relationship with King Edward VIII led to him abdicating the throne
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American divorcee Wallis Simpson's relationship with King Edward VIII led to him abdicating the throneCredit: Getty Images - Getty
The pair stepped down from their royal duties in March
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The pair stepped down from their royal duties in March

At a recent press conference, Trump was asked about Meghan and Harry "essentially encouraging people" to back his rival .

"I'm not a fan of hers, and I would say this – and she probably has heard that – but, I wish a lot of luck to Harry, because he's going to need it," the president told reporters.

Page Six's source added that Meghan wasn't going to let anything stand in her way of voting – even if she and Harry were still living in the UK.

to with their son Archie earlier this year and recently moved into a 

Meghan, Harry and little Archie reportedly moved in to their new CA home a few weeks ago
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Meghan, Harry and little Archie reportedly moved in to their new CA home a few weeks ago Credit: The Mega Agency
Meghan reportedly wants to be more politically engaged
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Meghan reportedly wants to be more politically engaged Credit: AP:Associated Press

A friend told  that "they have taken a keen interest in this election and I’m sure they are eagerly awaiting the outcome."

Meghan and Harry chose to step away from their royal duties at the start of the year – but she's the first person with such a close connection to them to participate in a modern US election.

In August, the native told that she intended to cast her ballot.

"I know what it's like to have a voice, and also what it's like to feel voiceless," Meghan said. "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."  

Trump said he wasn't a 'fan' of Meghan
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Trump said he wasn't a 'fan' of MeghanCredit: AP
Before marrying Prince Harry, Meghan was a vocal opponent of Trump
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Before marrying Prince Harry, Meghan was a vocal opponent of TrumpCredit: Rex Features

Meghan participated in a  with "When We All Vote" last month, the non-profit Michelle Obama launched in 2018.

The Sussexes recorded a video message for Times 100 urging Americans to cast their ballots and alluding to backing Biden.

The prince – who has never voted in the UK – urged Americans to "reject hate speech,"; "misinformation and online negativity" as the major political event loomed.

However, the Queen and her family are expected to remain politically neutral always.

She participated in the When All Women Vote Couch Party on August 20
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She participated in the When All Women Vote Couch Party on August 20 Credit: WHEN WE ALL VOTE
Meghan has been critical of Biden's rival in the past
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Meghan has been critical of Biden's rival in the past

Buckingham Palace pointed out that the is "not a working member of the royal family," however.

Their stinging statement said his comments were issued in "a personal capacity."

After walking away from their royal roles for a life in the States, reports indicated that Meghan intended to become more politically engaged.

A source told the  Meghan was "frustrated" that she wasn't allowed to be involved in politics while being a member of the English monarchy.

In 2016, Meghan slammed Trump as "misogynistic" and "divisive" during a talk appearance in 2016 after his triumphant win over .

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She reportedly refused to join the other royals meeting with Trump during his official June 2019 visit, citing the fact that she was on maternity leave.

But subsequently it emerged that in November 2019, Meghan had invited Clinton to visit her and Archie at Frogmore Cottage in the UK.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry coo ‘busy’ Archie keeps them on their toes as they chat in room framed with $1k prints

When will we find out election results?

Election Day is November 3 – the last day Americans are allowed to vote in the 2020 races.

The at 7pm ET (midnight GMT).

In 2016, the election was called at 2.30am ET (7.30am GMT) when  won Wisconsin pushing him over the 270 votes he needed to win.

But in 2020, due to increased postal ballots because of , a clear result might not be known until some time after Election Day.

Media organizations declare winners on election night in thousands of races on election night based on the results that are in, voter surveys, and other political data.

These predictions are provisional until a result from the mail-in ballots has been determined.

The winner of the 2020 presidential election is scheduled to be inaugurated on January 20, 2021.

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