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Fake 'Meghan for president' website encourages voters to spoil ballots

Watch: Could Meghan Markle be US president despite being a member of the royal family?

A fake website campaigning for Meghan Markle to become president of the United States appears to be encouraging people to spoil their ballots.

Meghanforpresident.com appeared in recent days and uses pictures of the Duchess of Sussex with mottos like “together, we will lead”.

The site has been called “obviously fake” by a source close to the couple but it may concern Meghan that it encourages voters to write her name on their ballot papers.

In a blog post about ‘write-in candidates’, it shares this advice from the US government website: “Besides the names on your ballot, you may be able to write in names of other candidates. Most states let you write in votes for president, U.S. senator, and U.S. representative. They may also allow write-in votes for governor and other state offices.

“Check with your state election office to find out the rules for your state. If you check using your state’s election website, enter “write-in candidates” in the search bar.”

It would allow people to show support for Meghan as a candidate, but it would be unlikely that with no campaigning she would garner the votes needed to be elected.

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CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - SEPTEMBER 25: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and their baby son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor meet Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his daughter Thandeka Tutu-Gxashe at the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation during their royal tour of South Africa on September 25, 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Toby Melville/Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Meghan, Harry and Archie now live in California. (WireImage)

While the duchess has been vocal in encouraging people to vote, she has avoided naming any specific candidate she may be backing.

A source close to the couple said: “It’s obviously fake. I would encourage people not to give it more attention than it deserves – especially as it’s collecting people’s email addresses and encouraging people to spoil ballots.”

In a blog posted on the website at the end of September, pretending to be Meghan, it says: “After many months of reflection and internal discussions, I have heard your calls to become President of the United States of America.

“It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few months, that I feel prepared to make this decision. With your support I believe we can bring equality, empowerment, and kindness to this dangerous, aggressive and confrontational world we live in.

“I look forward to sharing the full details of this exciting next step in due course. Until then, please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support.”

Read more: Harry and Meghan's political statements 'could harm US brand - but might help them internationally'

JJOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - OCTOBER 02: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex gives a speech as she visits the British High Commissioner's residence to attend an afternoon reception to celebrate the UK and South Africa’s important business and investment relationship, looking ahead to the Africa Investment Summit the UK will host in 2020. This is part of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's royal tour to South Africa. on October 02, 2019 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Meghan is no stranger to speech making, as here in South Africa. (WireImage)

The blog mimics the language Meghan, 39, and her husband Prince Harry, 36, used when they announced their decision to step back from their senior royal roles.

Meghan’s foray into the political world since she and Harry moved to California has drawn attention and criticism in the UK, with polls suggesting people believe they should have to give up their royal titles.

She addressed some of the criticism by saying: “If you listen to what I actually say it’s not controversial.”

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While she has not yet made any announcement to run herself, it is constitutionally possible for her to run and she qualifies based on US requirements.

Bookmakers offered odds of 50/1 for her to run in the 2024 election.

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