Should Meghan Markle stay out of politics? 75% of Britons don't think so

Three quarters of people think Prince Harry's fiancee Meghan Markle should continue to actively campaign for political causes, according to a new Sky Data poll.

As Harry and Meghan prepare for their wedding on 19 May 2018, Sky Data asked: Do you think Meghan Markle should or should not be allowed to continue to actively campaign for political causes?

An overwhelming 75% of those asked said she should continue to campaign, while 11% said she should not and 15% said they didn't know.

With the countdown to their wedding under way, there is lots of anticipation that Ms Markle will bring something different to the Royal Family.

In the past, the American actress hasn't been afraid to share her political views and speak out on issues like women's political participation and Donald Trump, who she described as misogynistic ahead of the US presidential elections.

Those who know her charity work say she is a passionate and committed advocate for causes that really matter to her.

Lara Dewar from World Vision in Canada went to India with Meghan and told Sky News: "What made her very unique was how educated she already was on the issues, she wasn't joining or jumping on a bandwagon, she wasn't doing it because it somehow benefited her profile, in fact she made it very clear that she knew she had a little bit of influence and wanted to use her platform to better the lives of others."

Marrying into Britain's hereditary constitutional monarchy will take some adjusting to for Harry's future wife.

Meghan has already said she is going to become a UK citizen, but members of the Royal Family do not vote and are expected to remain politically neutral.

She is now being supported by Prince Harry's team who will help guide her through the sensitivities of promoting issues that some may see as political, but without commenting on political policy.

Peter Tatchell, the human rights campaigner, told Sky News: "When Royals express political opinions and opinions on social issues it can lead to problems and tensions.

"In the past King Edward VIII did express views or actions which were seen to be appeasing of the Nazis. On the other hand Princess Diana did very laudable work supporting people with HIV and action against landmines.

"So it all depends on your political perspective or your conscience whether you think what these Royals are saying is okay and par the course, or whether you think it is an unjustified intrusion into political debate."

Meghan is as much marrying into a new family as an institution with rules and constraints.

She won't be the first person to navigate her way through what you can and can't say as a member of the House of Windsor.

Prince Philip in the early days was seen as too radical and modern by some, and Prince Charles has been criticised by those who claim he uses his position to lobby Government ministers - most notably through his so-called "black spider memos" - notes written to Government departments in the Prince's sprawling handwriting.

On Thursday, Meghan joined the Royal Family's annual Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace hosted by the Queen.

Her husband-to-be, Prince Harry, was pictured driving a Land Rover Discovery as he arrived at the palace on Wednesday.

Meghan was sitting in the passenger seat as they passed waiting photographers.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their two children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, also arrived for the lunch in a separate car.

Sky Data interviewed a nationally representative sample of 1,600 Sky customers online 8-13 December 2017. Data are weighted to the profile of the population.

For full Sky Data tables, please click here.