
The Duchess of Sussex could be barred from running for US President by a little known constitutional amendment made 211 years ago.
According to experts, a tweak was made to the constitution in 1810 to prevent anyone who holds a title of nobility given from a foreign power from holding office.
The centuries-old amendment was initially intended to prevent Napoleon’s nephew from seeking power after his brother married an American socialite Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Patterson amid speculation their son might run for office.
A newspaper outlet said it could be revived to stop any plans for the Duchess to launch a leadership bid, and although Meghan Markle has never talked of a genuine intention to run for office, biographer Tom Bower previously claimed the possibility of a presidential campaign was plausible and possible.
The Duchess has also been politically active since marrying into the Royal Family, striving to influence a $1.75 trillion infrastructure plan to include paid leave for new parents and writing an open lobbyist letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer asking for it to be made a national priority.
It comes as Royal Family aides and critics have argued the Duchess is using her title inappropriately when it comes to political affairs.
US politicians say Meghan Markle presented herself as The Duchess of Sussex, leading to criticism she was using tactics of an aspiring politician and adopting a ruthless streak to try and influence Biden’s Build Back Better bill.
Her allies, though, say this is her legal name after changing it from Meghan Markle when she married Prince Harry in May 2018, and constitutional experts said there’s no technical reason why she couldn’t run for presidency under her title, despite a lack of precedent.
Experts highlighted an amendment named the Titles of Nobility Amendment, made in 1810, that was introduced and established in Congress.
It states anyone who accepts, claims, receives or holds a title of nobility given by a foreign power is barred from holding federal office.
The amendment was sent out to individual state legislatures, three quarters of whom required a vote in support for it to be passed as law.
The required number was 14, though the amendment was subsequently never passed. It was never thrown out either and has remained on the table for the last 211 years.
But even if she does run for President, no one will probably vote for her – a goldfish would get more votes. Mind you, loads of people voted for Donald Trump, and the only way that this woman works is with an inflatable reality that she inflicts on everyone like a colossal headache.
But perhaps she should be allowed to run for the presidency because America could do with some fresh blood, and she’s far from stupid, but she is calculated and cunning, and if nothing else it would be a good laugh to see how she fairs out there with all the other Pirahna’s.
If she couldn’t handle the pressures of being a royal, is she up to handling the pressure of being a President? I believe that she could because she’s an American and in her own comfort zone, and some American’s would vote for her because they have a history of putting celebrities into power, and if they can put Donald Trump in as a supreme leader, then Meghan Markle’s in with a chance.
Although I’m not sure what makes her think she might be a suitable candidate, and what is the requirement for becoming President these days? But then I suppose it’s worked in the past.