Meghan Markle for U.S. Senate" maybe, and maybe, sooner than you think.

Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) died on Friday at the age of 90. (At the time of her death, she was the oldest senator (and the longest-serving female senator in history, having served for 30 years). California Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed a successor to serve the remainder of Feinstein's term, holding the Democratic majority until early January 2025. Feinstein's successor has not yet been named, but in 2021 Newsom declared that if Feinstein retires, he will appoint a black woman.

Names such as Oprah Winfrey and Meghan Markle have been mentioned (before you shy away from the idea of a celebrity taking the seat, remember that Arnold Schwarzenegger was once governor of California). It may be mere speculation or it may be true, but either way, there is no doubt that Princess Meghan's name is on the short list, or at least being discussed. (The Daily Mail calls Princess Meghan a "longshot replacement," but, well, it's politics. Anything can happen.)

"Dame Meghan is definitely a long shot, but with the craziness of U.S. politics these days, it's not impossible," said a major Democratic donor close to Newsom." There are crazier things happening," he said."

According to Newsom's pledge, "The problem he faces now is that all of the top candidates have already announced that they will run for Feinstein's seat in the next election, in November 2024." Governor Newsom cannot elect any of those candidates now." "Because it would be considered a very unfair and huge advantage, and if he were to put any of the black female candidates in that office now, he would be accused of favoritism." So, they continued, he needs to find someone who "agrees not to go against any of the veteran politicians who have been doing the job for 13 months and have already thrown their hat into that ring. Not many women fit that bill. That's why Meghan's name is being discussed."

Meghan is close to Gloria Steinem, and "Gloria introduces Meghan to extremely important people in the party," Steinem's friend said. 'Meghan is interested in politics above all else. That is where she believes her power lies."

Apparently, over the weekend, "the phones were ringing off the hook" as Meghan was tapped to fill a seat that had been vacant for 13 months.

Meghan is a California native who returned to her hometown with her husband Prince Harry in 2020 to raise their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, in Montecito.

"It's actually not a terrible idea for her to turn to politics," celebrity public relations expert Jane Owen told the Mirror.

"In politics, the size of your platform can often make the difference between winning and losing. She has a huge base of support that could vote for her." As the wife of a prince and a former member of the royal family, she can claim a certain knowledge of public service."

Owen continued.

It could happen, Owen said: "With the right message and direction, I can imagine she might be quite successful," she said.

Winfrey's name has also been mentioned to fill the vacancy, but as the Mirror reports, it would require a change of heart on her part. In May, Winfrey told the "Los Angeles Times" that she was not considering the role as a vacancy and denied any interest in the role.