Senator apologises after drawing duchess into the Eighth debate
A SENATOR who drew the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, into a row over abortion has apologised to British officials over the faux pas.
At a garden party in the British Ambassador’s residence Fine Gael Senator Catherine Noone spoke with Prince Harry and Meghan and later tweeted the new royal watched the referendum to repeal the Eighth Amendment with interest and “was pleased to see the result”.
Ms Noone, who was prominent in the Yes campaign and chaired the all-party committee on the Eighth Amendment, later clarified that Meghan “seemed pleased” and told the Irish Independent that her original tweet – since deleted – was “unintentionally misleading”.
The senator said Meghan was not in any way political during their encounter.
It is understood Ms Noone apologised to British officials for the incident and was reassured that they accepted it was a misunderstanding.
Royal protocol dictates that members of the royal family are not allowed to comment on politics.
Pro-life campaigners in Ireland and the UK have said it
would be “inappropriate” for any member of the royal family to comment on abortion.
A spokesperson for Kensington Palace was aware of the incident but declined to comment when contacted by the Irish Independent.
The incident garnered international media attention and was covered by publications on both sides of the Atlantic.
Prior to marrying Prince Har- ry, Meghan engaged in activism on various issues including the Me Too movement but her new role now precludes her from engaging in political matters.
Ms Noone could not be reached for comment last night.
The senator was one of about 300 invited guests who attended the garden party at Glencairn in Leopardstown, to mark the royal couple’s first official overseas visit since their wedding.