Queen encouraged voting way before Meghan Markle, Harry's infamous comments

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had received quite a lot of backlash recently after they decided to urge Americans to vote in the US elections.

With the controversial move, many royal fans and critics had been up in arms against the Duke and Duchess of Sussex over the 'highly political' move as royal family members are strictly forbidden from commenting on voting and elections.

However, what many may be aware of is how Queen Elizabeth II had also once done the same, way before Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

According to a report by Wales Online, back in 2003 as well as 2014, Her Majesty had advocated for voting in Wales and Scotland.

In 2003, owing to a meager 38 percent voter turnout in Wales, the monarch had addressed the Welsh National Assembly and had encouraged people to vote.

“Elections are the fundamental means by which everyone can participate in the business of government… I share your concerns that we must encourage all our people to exercise their right to vote. This is a real challenge now before us all," the Queen had said.

Later in 2014, Reuters reported that she urged Scotland to vote for the independence referendum and make a cautious decision about their country's future.