Meghan Markle has always been an involved citizen and passionate advocate when it comes to the causes she holds dear. Since becoming parents to Archie and Lilibet, Meghan and Harry have shared support for paid family and medical leave.
As US senators prepare to address the matter, Meghan has teamed up with New York Democrat Kristen Gillibrand in a campaign to reach out to others in the Senate about the matter. Meghan has reached out to both Democratic and Republican senators.
That being said, not everyone agrees with Meghan's involvement. Some feel that her royal connections should keep her from commenting on political matters.
Republican Senator Shelley Moore Capito talked to Politico about her conversation with Meghan.
"I'm in my car. I'm driving. It says caller ID blocked. Honestly … I thought it was Senator Manchin. His calls come in blocked," she explained.
"And she goes 'Senator Capito?' I said, 'Yes.' She said, 'This is Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex,'" she continued.
"I couldn't figure out how she got my number."
Senator Susan Collins of Maine also spoke with Meghan.
"I was happy to talk with her. But I'm more interested in what the people of Maine are telling me about it," she shared.
"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."
Senator Gillibrand shared several senators' numbers with Meghan. "I talked to each of the women senators and let them know that she's going to reach out, because she only completed two of the calls," she said.
"She wants to be part of a working group to work on paid leave long term and she's going to be. Whether this comes to fruition now or later, she'll be part of a group of women that hopefully will work on paid leave together."
Last month, Meghan sounded off on the subject in an open letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
"Over the past 20 months, the pandemic has exposed long-existing fault lines in our communities," Meghan wrote.
"At an alarming rate, millions of women dropped out of the workforce, staying home with their kids as schools and daycares were closed, and looking after loved ones full-time. The working mom or parent is facing the conflict of being present or being paid. The sacrifice of either comes at a great cost."
Meghan and Harry recently took 20 weeks of parental leave, in line with the policies of their Archewell Foundation.
"We knew we could take her home, and in that vital (and sacred) stage, devote any and everything to our kids and to our family," Meghan shared.
"We knew that by doing so we wouldn't have to make impossible choices about childcare, work, and medical care that so many have to make every single day."
Some critics believe that Meghan should not use her title when involving herself in politics.
"Meghan Markle the American citizen can call senators all day long it’s her right as an American but Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex has no place meddling in US politics," one royal fan tweeted. "The use of her title to influence policy here in America is WRONG! Whether I agree with her stance or not."
Still, many are applauding Meghan's involvement in ways big and small. She even treated staffers fighting for the cause at Paid Leave US with gift certificates to Starbucks for coffee and snacks.
