Meghan Markle has shown that she is willing to take full advantage of her famous name and do her bit for the royal cause. In the past two months alone, she has called senators and pressured them to enact paid family leave, stood up for vaccine equality on a trip to New York with Harry, and promised that their nonprofit Archewell will achieve net zero carbon by 2030. Part of the reason for her outspokenness is that she is rumored to intend to run for office (possibly for the California Senate seat, according to one source). If that happens, however, she may have to give up her royal title.

Harvard professor Mark Tushnet pointed to Article I, Section 9, Clause 8 of the Constitution, known as the External Emoluments Clause, when speaking to Express UK. This clause states that no person holding any office shall receive titles "of any kind whatsoever, from any king, prince, or foreign nation," without the express consent of Congress. And according to Tushnet, even if Meghan Markle wanted to run for political office, it probably wouldn't happen: "I don't think that's ever happened before. I think it's very unlikely that Congress would allow her to retain her title," he told Express. [Politically,] I think it would be quite detrimental for her to hold the title. The opposition will take anything away and this will be a hook to say, 'She's not a real American,'" he continued."

This rule makes sense from a historical perspective. After all, the U.S. was founded on the basic premise that the country would not be ruled by royalty. The prohibition of exalted titles was introduced into the Constitution in 1810, but its purpose was to minimize the possibility of foreign countries and their leaders influencing U.S. politics.

But even if Princess Meghan were forced to give up her royal title, it would not be a major blow, Tushnet told the magazine. As long as she is royalty, her celebrity status will remain the same, whether she has an official title or not.

It's a tough choice! But in any case, she will remain an outspoken supporter of the causes she holds dear.