A close friend of Meghan Markle has revealed the Duchess of Sussex has "serious" ambitions to run for US president in 2024.
The friend told Vanity Fair they believed Markle's dream of becoming president is what stopped her from getting rid of her US citizenship when she joined the royal family.
"One of the reasons she was so keen not to give up her American citizenship was so she had the option to go into politics," the friend said to Vanity Fair.
"I think if Meghan and Harry ever gave up their titles she would seriously consider running for president."
The claims come after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex spoke out on US politics during an appearance in a televised broadcast to promote Time Magazine's 'Time 100 list of the most influential people in 2020'.
The pair urged Americans to "reject hate speech" and vote. Markle told viewers the 2020 US election was "the most important election of our lifetime."
Markle told viewers: "As we approach this November, it's vital that we reject hate speech, misinformation and online negativity."
The broadcast caught the attention of current US President Donald Trump at a press conference on Thursday after he was asked a question referring to Markle's words.
"I'm not a fan of [Markle]," Trump said, "and would say this… I wish a lot of luck to Harry, because he's gonna need it."
Despite the rumours, Markle's representatives have insisted she has no plans to pursue the presidency in the 2024 election. One "well-placed source" said: "While there's no denying she is interested and engaged in politics as a topic, she harbors no ambition to enter a career in politics."
In August Markle shared her passion for politics and voting in an interview with magazine Marie Claire.
Markle told the magazine one of her favourite quotes is from New Zealand suffragist Kate Shepard: "Do not think your single vote does not matter much. The rain that refreshes the parched ground is made up of single drops."
