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Prince Harry joins US election voting drive, telling Americans: 'Reject hate speech'

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex appear in a video for Time 100
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex appear in a video for Time 100

The Duke of Sussex has urged people in the US to "reject hate speech" as he risks a diplomatic row by joining a voting drive for the country's upcoming presidential election.

The Duke, who as the grandson of the Queen has until now felt an obligation to remain politically neutral, appeared alongside his wife in a video on the US voting registration day.

The Duchess, who is an American citizen and has undertaken several recent events ahead of the election, said: “We’re just six weeks out from election day, and today is National Voter Registration Day.

"Every four years, we’re told, ‘This is the most important election of our lifetime.’ But this one is."

Sitting beside her in their garden for a video broadcast as part of a Time 100 event, Prince Harry added:  "This election, I'm not going to be able to vote here in the US.

"But many of you may not know that I haven't been able to vote in the UK my entire life.

"As we approach this November, it's vital that we reject hate speech, misinformation, and online negativity."

Senior members of the British Royal Family do not vote by choice and convention, believing it is essential for the Queen - and therefore her close relatives - to be scrupulously above party politics.

The Duchess's recent interventions in America have been widely interpreted as being for the Democrat cause, with an emphasis on voting for "change".

The couple have now taken their involvement with US politics one step further, with Prince Harry joining the crusade.

A source close to the couple said the Prince's words were not party political or aimed at any individuals, but referred only to the level of online debate surrounding the election in line with their recent campaigning about internet kindness.

The Sussexes made the video for an online event celebrating this year's Time 100, (shown above) but appeared neither as nominees or to introduce another winner.

Instead, they delivered a message about civility online, and voting.

"You’re playing a critical role for our future and that of our children," the Duchess told the 100 people being honoured.

“Seeing our world through the lens of community is so important. Because we need to redraw the lines of how we engage with each other —both online & off.

“What we’re exposed to online seeps into how we engage with each other offline. It can train us to be kind, or it can train us to be cruel."

The Duke added: "But when the bad outweighs the good, for many - whether we realise it or not - it erodes our ability to have compassion and our ability to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes.

“Because when one person buys into negativity online, the effects are felt exponentially. It’s time to not only reflect, but act.”

Writing up the appearance, Time magazine noted: "Although it’s against protocol for members of the royal family to get involved in politics, since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped down from their roles as senior royals and moved to North America earlier this year, the couple have become increasingly vocal about civics and issues close to them like climate change."