JASON SMITH. eee ce on Congress of the United States ESS cease House of Representatives Serene ae ‘Washington, DE 20515-2508 csr CConITTe& on THE BUDGET rae een ge Lele October 9,2020 Sais Her Excellency Dame Karen Pierce, DCMG British Ambassador British Embassy 3100 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington, D.C. 20008 Dear Ambassador Pierce: 1am writing to express concern with Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their continued interference in the United States presidential election. As you know, the British Royal Family has long observed a policy of striet neutrality in regard to political matters. | am therefore concerned by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s recent comments regarding the United States Presidential Election, especially given international conversations surrounding foreign interference in our elections and the Duke’s status as a guest of the United States. Last month, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex recorded a joint broadcast urging American citizens to register to vote and to, “reject hate speech, misinformation, and online negativity.” The Duchess of Sussex, whose political opinions are thinly disguised and widely reported, went so far as to label the 2020 election the, “most important election of our lifetime.” These actions represent a serious breach of the British Royal Family’s policy of political neutrality and an inappropriate act of domestic interference by one of our closest allies. Additionally, while I understand The Duke and Duchess no longer utilize the style of His or Her Royal Highness, they nevertheless retain these prefixes and remain known as The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Itis also my understanding the Royal Family has stated these comments were made in a personal capacity, and the Duke and Duchess are no longer working members of the Royal Family. However, it is my view the titles and privileges they retain by permission of Her Majesty the Queen, given with the advice and consent of her government, prevent the Duke and Duchess from separating comments made in a personal capacity from their official position within the British Royal Family. Therefore, by allowing the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to retain their titles, and these political comments to continue, the British Government is effectively condoning interference in the 2020 United States Presidential Election from officials at the highest level of the British establishment.I respectfully request the British Government ensure The Duke and Duchess of Sussex no longer attempt to interfere in our election or be stripped of all titles, styles, and privileges which they currently retain. | respectfully request you convey these concerns to both Her Majesty The Queen and to Her Majesty's Government. Member of Congress CC: The Rt. Hon. Edward Young CVO, Private Secretary to HM the Queen