Meghan Markle rejects claim she lobbied for Kamala Harris’ Senate seat
WASHINGTON, DC: The Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle has denied a report claiming she sought to be considered for the US Senate seat that former Vice President Kamala Harris was preparing to vacate in 2020.
The New York Post reported that Markle requested a meeting with California Governor Gavin Newsom weeks before the presidential election because she wanted to be considered for the appointment. A source for the Duchess firmly denied that she wanted Harris' seat. Newsom's office confirmed that the governor met with Harry and Meghan in October 2020 but has not publicly disclosed the subjects discussed.
Meghan Markle denied seeking Kamala Harris' Senate seat
According to the outlet, a source said Markle requested a meeting with Newsom because she "wanted to be considered to be appointed" to the Senate seat held by Harris.
Harris left the Senate in January 2021 after being elected vice president alongside former president Joe Biden. Newsom ultimately appointed California Secretary of State Alex Padilla to fill the vacancy. Padilla later won a full six-year term in the Senate in 2022.
According to the report, the couple met with Newsom on October 19, 2020, and publicly described it as an "introductory meeting." A memorandum from Newsom's office confirmed that the meeting took place but did not provide details about what was discussed.
It remains unclear whether Markle separately raised the possibility of a Senate appointment during the meeting. The outlet also said it was unclear how far any alleged effort went. A source with Markle, however, firmly rejected the central claim, telling the outlet that the Duchess did not want to take over Harris' Senate seat.
The claim came from a period when Harry and Meghan had recently moved to the United States after stepping back from their roles as working members of the British royal family.
Meghan and Harry's political involvement in the US
The Senate claim came as the couple's political involvement in the US had periodically drawn attention since they moved away from royal duties in 2020.
The outlet also mentioned that Harry and Meghan hired consultants with experience in the Obama and Biden administrations, including former White House press secretary Jen Psaki. Harry's current chief of staff, Miranda Barbot, was also described as having served as a conduit between the couple and the Biden administration.
The report further claimed the couple asked whether they could return to the US aboard Air Force One following Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in 2022. That request was reportedly denied.
Harry and Meghan reportedly also sought a meeting with Biden in 2021, as well as accommodations at Blair House, the presidential guest residence near the White House. According to sources, that request was rejected as well.
Meghan has retained her US citizenship since marrying Harry in 2018. In September 2020, they appeared in a 'Time' magazine video urging Americans to vote and "reject hate speech." The Duchess later contacted several US senators in November 2021 to advocate for federally mandated paid family leave.
