She has made no secret about her left-leaning politics and belief that women can change the world.

So it may come as no surprise that Meghan Markle’s name was being bandied about in Hollywood last night as a long-shot replacement for Californian Senator Dianne Feinstein.

Indeed, within minutes of 90-year-old Feinstein’s death being announced on Friday, the Mail on Sunday was told ‘phones lit up’ with speculation the Duchess of Sussex could throw her hat in the ring to serve out the remaining 13 months of Feinstein’s term.

A major Democratic donor who is close to Californian Governor Gavin Newsom – who will choose Feinstein’s replacement – told the MoS: ‘Meghan is definitely a long-shot but in the craziness that is US politics these days it’s not an impossibility. Crazier things have happened.’

Feinstein’s death has produced a unique situation where Newsom, 55, California‘s charismatic Governor who is considered a Presidential frontrunner should anything happen to 80-year-old President Joe Biden, has free reign to pick someone to replace Feinstein until the next election is held in November 2024.

Meghan Markle’s (pictured) name was being bandied about in Hollywood last night as a long-shot replacement for Californian Senator Dianne Feinstein

US Senator Dianne Feinstein (pictured) died in the early morning hours on Friday at her Washington D.C. home with her daughter Katherine by her side

A major Democratic donor who is close to Californian Governor Gavin Newsom (pictured) – who will choose Feinstein’s replacement – told the MoS: ‘Meghan is definitely a long-shot but in the craziness that is US politics these days it’s not an impossibility. Crazier things have happened’

He was placed in a similar position in October 2020 when then-candidate Biden chose another Californian senator, Kamala Harris, to be his running mate against Donald Trump.

At the time, The Mail on Sunday reported that a senior Labour Party source confirmed Meghan had been ‘networking among senior Democrats’ with a view to building a grass roots campaign to fuel her political ambitions – with the US Presidency her ultimate aim. She and Prince Harry reportedly held a virtual hour-long meeting with Gov. Newsom but he picked another candidate.

A source said Governor Newsom had pledged to replace Feinstein with a black woman, adding: ‘The problem he now faces is that all the best candidates have already announced they will be running for Feinstein’s seat in November 2024, the next election.

‘Governor Newsom cannot elect any of those candidates to the position now as it would be seen as a huge, and very unfair, advantage.

‘If he puts any of the very good black women candidates in the job now he will be accused of favouritism.

‘So he needs to find a woman of colour who can do the job for 13 months and will agree to not stand against any of the seasoned politicians who have already thrown their hats into the ring.

‘There are not that many women who fit the bill. Which is why Meghan’s name is being bandied about.’

Since arriving in California with husband Prince Harry in 2020, Meghan has cultivated political contacts on the Left-wing. She is close friends with feminist Gloria Steinem, a powerful force in the Democratic Party.

A friend of Steinem’s told the MoS: ‘Gloria has been introducing Meghan to pivotal people within the party.

‘Meghan is interested in politics more than anything else. That’s where she believes her power is but she has had to focus on making money.’

A senior Labour Party source previously confirmed Meghan (centre, with Prince Harry, left) had been ‘networking among senior Democrats’ with a view to building a grass roots campaign to fuel her political ambitions – with the US Presidency her ultimate aim

A source said Governor Newsom had pledged to replace Feinstein (pictured) with a black woman

Dianne Feinstein’s desk in the Senate on Friday morning was draped in black cloth and had a vase of white roses on it

Senator Dianne Feinstein was a trail blazing female senator – above she is with a group of women senators – Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Feinstein, Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski, D-Md., Sen. Mazie K. Hirono, D-Hawaii – in June 2014

Since moving to the States with Prince Harry in 2020, Meghan has befriended TV host Oprah Winfrey, a major Democrat donor, and also become friends with the Kennedys, one of the most famous and well-connected Democratic families in America.

But the ‘buzz’ around Meghan as a replacement the late Senator Feinstein has left some Democrats cold.

One senior source said: ‘I don’t think you can take Meghan seriously.’