Well, it’s in the air now – multiple outlets claim that the Duchess of Sussex is for-sure going to do something for the September issue of British Vogue. Meghan famously covered Vanity Fair just before her engagement to Prince Harry, and the Duchess of Cambridge famously covered British Vogue several years ago, in the June 2016 issue, as a way to promote the National Portrait Gallery’s exhibit at the time (Kate is the patron of the National Portrait Gallery). So what’s the deal with this Meghan rumor? The Sun was the first outlet to report this:
Meghan will star in a photoshoot and write on causes close to her heart in September’s edition of Vogue magazine. But the Duchess does not want to feature on the cover. And baby Archie and Harry will not be in the pictures, due to be shot at Frogmore Cottage, Windsor. British Vogue editor Edward Enninful arranged the article directly with Meghan — pipping US Vogue editor Anna Wintour to the scoop.
A magazine source said: “Meghan is going to write a piece on causes such as female empowerment and women’s education. Edward has been courting her since day one. Anna is massively miffed that she’s missed out. This is nothing to do with Archie, or family, or home life. It’s purely on women’s empowerment.”
Meghan also starred in Vogue’s recently-released 25 Most Influential Women in the UK.
Us Weekly had a similar exclusive, with their source saying that Meghan will “guest edit” British Vogue for the September issue and she “will preside over what is considered to be the monthly magazine’s most important edition of the year: the fall fashion issue.” Their source said that “Meghan will be writing an opinion piece of her own as well as bringing a selection of female change-makers on board to write their own personal essays.” Not just that, but she will definitely do a photoshoot at Frogmore Cottage for the publication, which is what The Sun says too.
So, what do you think? I think it’s probably for real. I doubt Anna Wintour feels like she got scooped though – Wintour and Enniful were probably both talking to Meghan about an exclusive, and Meghan chose British Vogue because duh, she’s a British princess now and the British press would have had a sh-t fit if she did an American Vogue cover. I think it’s a little bit funny that Meghan would be like “no, no cover for me!” People are going to attack her no matter what, it might as well be for a lovely cover. I wonder if Meghan will get to choose the cover subject? Or maybe they’ll just give Kate Moss her millionth British Vogue cover, just for the hell of it.
It’s also worth noting that this isn’t particularly new ground for a duchess: as I said, Kate has already done a British Vogue cover, AND Kate has done some “guest editing” too – remember that time she “guest edited” The Huffington Post for a day and what she really did was pose for photos for an hour and then she went shopping?
Photos courtesy of WENN, Backgrid, cover courtesy of Vanity Fair.
But Kate didn’t do it exactly the same way first therefore what Meghan is doing is wrong and not royal.
They should just make it standard to pretend that Meghan is following Kate’s lead when she does anything and all the RRs and insecure Kate stans will quiet down.
Yes, I love the idea of using the language “following Kate’s lead” the way she did with the maternity leave. It’s a great idea and it’ll mean that people who attack her will also be attacking Kate. I’m sure some will find a way around it but it’ll be even more obvious.
I kind of feel like Meghan is saying, “COME AT ME BRO” (well, stans) with some of this stuff. “I’m taking a maternity leave – LIKE KATE DID.” I’m going to do a photoshoot for Vogue – LIKE KATE DID. etc. And good for her.
@Becks she definitely is and I LOVE it!!
Yes, but one must not forget that Kate is the Future Queen Consort, so the rules are a bit more stringent for her.
Yayyy can’t wait.
Me too, but rather disappointed that she won’t do a cover. It is bound to be a sell out anyway. Maybe Wintour will get her to do a cover for American Vogue.
No water what, Megs gets crucified. I’m curious to see the issue if she does work on it. And yes, it makes sense that she would cover British Vogue. And let’s be honest, In comparison to Kate, Megs puts forth work and interest in what she does. I think she really understands the platform she has and the good she can do. She takes her role seriously. And so far, she has done great.
Exactly. And what she has that Kate doesn’t is a track record. A history of working hard and following through on her commitments.
At least with Enninful is that he has a good eye.
I’ve enjoyed British Vogue under his stewardship so far. He understands beauty as weapon, fashion as armour (especially for minorities) and isn’t afraid to look beyond the white Sloane Sloth ranger aesthic that Vogue becamed bogged under Alexandra Schulman.
I know people do bang on about how Enninful is a bit too celebrity driven, but I’ve liked that at least with his cover stars (e.g. Rhianna) they have something to say, as well as being diverse (instead of the white on white Schulman would rock with).
I loved that he had Namoi Campbell interviewing Sadiq Khan – both Londoners – and in the space of Vogue in a way that never happened before.
If nothing else, Markle’s feature with Vogue won’t be as nothingburger as Kate’s turn was with Schulman so… yeah, I’m ready. I’ll definitely get a copy.
I don’t follow the fashion mags, but your comments mirror what other posters have said. Enninful has brought diversity. That’s a plus in my book. There’s been an increase in readership to British Vogue so he must be doing something right. Suck it, racists! I’m looking forward to it and hope she does have a cover. Her last cover was gorgeous.
@TheOriginalMia
Yes, I’m hoping that Meghan does a cover too. Especially since Meghan does have a point of view, and seems open to collaboration. My big wish is that they get Zadie Smith in for writing duties (she’s contributed to pieces to Einninful’s vogue before). I’m no big fan of Smith’s fiction, but her cultural articles are *kisses fingers softly* perfect.
If anyone can do an article tying in Meghan, her background, her viewpoints and what she wants to do as well as being an immigrant to a country with the establishment that’s both xenophobic and racist and the tensions all around everything, Smith can do that.
But that’s my gossip wish, tbh. Right now, I’ll just put down a tenner to one side, with biscuits and tea and just wait.
I’m actually excited to see this photoshoot, I think it will probably be pretty good.
I’m sure Anna Wintour would have jumped at the chance, and maybe this was discussed with her, but British Vogue is the better choice right now for Meghan.
I hope that she put this out to sort of “test the waters” and might eventually do one for Wintour at some point. But she’s smart to do British Vogue first, and smart to turn down a cover right now, IMO. At least this lays the groundwork for more interviews like this in the future.
I’m looking forward to this. I’m sure it will be great and there will still be loads of people hating on it. As an aside, a really great Instagram account that follows Megan said they were taking a break because of the volume of trolls. I’m sad but I understand. It also amuses me that Megan and the work she does seem to disturb so many people’s demons. It’s incredible.
She should be on the cover but I suppose the unjust smears and nickname “Me Again” give her pause about doing anything that might be considered attention seeking. It’s 😞
They literally just won a lawsuit over pap photos of Frogmore cottage a month ago on the grounds that it was not only a privacy thing, but a security thing as well. They don’t want people knowing too much about the layout of the house and such. The photo shoot has to be made up.
It would be easy enough to do a photo shoot and only reveal some trees, or a wall etc, so I wouldn’t have thought that would be an issue.
Yup, kind of like the photo shoot Will and Kate did a few years ago at either KP or Anmer (I think it was Anmer). You could see some of the basics but nothing that gave anything away, security-wise. (I’m trying to google the pictures now and cant find them.)
ooh Becks1 I would LOVE to see that shoot if you find it!
@Abby – here. That was weirdly hard to find, lol. I remember it was a nice article overall, except that Will made a quip about not wanting his kids to grow up behind a wall…..and the pictures are the kids literally playing in a walled garden, LOL. I just skimmed it again right now, but overall I remember thinking it was a good interview.
https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/prince-william-diana-princess-of-wales
Frogmore cottage isn’t as big or as uniform as KP. It’s hard to tell the layout in KP because it all looks the same from the outside. We’ve only ever seen a formal living room in KP (when they hosted the Obamas.) The others were in Diana’s old apartment. The only pictures we have seen of Amner were from before they moved in. Part of Frogmore’s charm is that it’s very irregular, but that also makes it easier for people to tell where they are in the building. I don’t really see why they would risk it when they have so many other good options. Frogmore House and it’s ground are right there after all.
That lawsuit was over their house in the Cotswalds, not Frogmore. They couldn’t live there anymore after the paps flew a helicopter over their house and took pictures of their bedroom and living room. This will likely be a shoot in a few public areas, if it happens at all.
Many people writing about royals now do not know the difference between Frogmore Cottage and Frogmore House. If there is a photoshoot, it might be on the Frogmore HOUSE grounds like their engagement and wedding photos.
I think I read here a little bit ago that her team was looking for a new stylist (or it may have been a suggestion that her current one was leaving soon)? If so I imagine the assistants and bts people at this shoot will be auditioning for the role and the competition will be fierce. It’s a plum job.
@a – Ohh, that would be grand. I think Meghans’ stylist is her friend, no? But you do need a stylist that’s local, and hopefully able to wean her off Givenchy for the sake of everyone. Fingers crossed!
Jessica Mulroney is a “stylist” only in the sense that other wealthy women married into rich/powerful families claim to be stylists, designers, cupcake bakery owners, etc. You just can’t be a “lady who lunches” anymore, even if your job is a few hours a week and you don’t really do anything. And to the extent she does provide fashion advice, it’s been awful. Meghan would benefit from a real stylist who is in the know about upcoming Brit designers.
As for the crap that Meghan will get for this, I will wait for it to happen. I mean, it will likely happen, but she can cry herself to sleep next to her handsome husband in her glorious home with her darling baby. She’s won.
I would love to see what a new stylist would be able to do with her to create a more even vision for her wardrobe. So far she has been hit and miss.
I wish that she would poach the wardrobe, hair and makeup people from Suits. She never looked more fabulous than she did on that show!
This is great! I can’t wait for her article and photosnoot
hee hee photosnoot 🙂
I don’t like how in this article you build one womsn by trashin the other
This is the time tested strategy of heir vs. Spare. And that does carry to the wives.
Harry will always be thrown under the bus to prop up William. And long before harry even dated Kate it was understood the wife of the spare would be used to elevate Kate’s image.
What’s an interesting backfire is how genuine and popular Meghan seems.
Who is doing this under-the-bus throwing? The royal family? The courtiers? The press (what stake do they have in this?) It just doesn’t hold up, historically.
Queen Elizabeth’s mother was “wife of the spare” back in the day.
And Andrew and Fergie seemed to be a love match at the time, and whatever problems they ended up having, they caused them. It wasn’t Charles or Diana or the Queen working behind the scenes.
And if it’s William, well, that’s on him. It’s not part of some long tradition.
Diana was always throwing Fergie under the bus with the press.
i wish comments had a like button
I’m sure people will find something to complain about but I’m excited for this because I think it could be really interesting and I can’t wait to see which women she’ll choose to do this with her. As far as the photo shoot is concerned I doubt we’ll get a good look at their house if it’s even indoors she might do what Kate did and have it on the grounds of Frogmore.
I agree Meghan is perfectly within her rights to do this as Kate was but I feel the shade in the last sentence was unnecessary.
I’m not anti Kate but I think the last statement is fine. It’s factual. Kate’s actions are up for scrutiny just like Meghan’s are, and that’s what she did at HuffPost. She didn’t edit anything. If she ever takes another editing opportunity she’ll do it differently now. I think the Meghan competition’s good for Kate in the sense that it creates accountability for her. The bar was always set so low for her before that she never had to follow through with anything.
She did that “editing” in exchange for the US website of HuffPo stopping publishing of legally-taken photos of the kids. UK outlets were strong armed into not posting them, but non-UK outlets were out of reach of W&K’s legal threats.
Meghan will get the cover, I’m sure. It’s a scoop. They got Kate because it was the 100 year anniversary issue and they agreed to link it to her charity. She’s not done one before or since, it’s not her comfort zone you could tell in pictures. Meghan is more comfortable with photographers, so I’m sure the pictures will come out with less forced energy. Getting the late Diana’s daughter-in-laws is a huge get! Meghan will totally be on the cover!
Side note: everyone said Kate bought her clothes because she’s not allowed to borrow which is BS – that’s not how fashion shoots work. Yes, for events, but not photoshoots. So prepare yourself for headlines about Meghan’s million dollar photoshoot spending. Sigh.
speaking of photo shoots, does Meghan even own the Ralph and Russo engagement dress or was it just worn for the photo shoot? I thought I recalled the photographer saying they chose it from a rack of clothes, as you would fit a photo shoot. Would she then have to buy it? Or is that dress still sitting on some stylists clothing rack to this day?
The palace confirmed it was purchased privately. It was a privately paid photoshoot, not for a magazine, so all the clothes were her own. But Vogue would just send samples to the shoot for wardrobe stylists to try out.
Privately purchased can mean absolutely anyone bought it, but we will never know who or for how much or when. Or even if it was gifted to her or loaned.
Honestly this is annoying. I have nothing against Meghan personally (the RF is a different topic though) but she did a few engagements for the UN and wrote a very basic blog. There are women out there who’ve dedicated their whole lives to women’s rights and will never get the same opportunities because they didn’t marry a prince. I wish Vogue would take an actual stand and give someone truly empowering a platform, but sales come first so…
It’s always a problem when Meghan do something, people never feel the same way when others do the exact same thing.
What some are missing is that the average person will not know a lot of the women who have been doing the work because many are not household names and pretty much no one is going to buy Vogue to read about them. Meghan is doing her job – using her platform and “celebrity” to draw attention to charitable causes. And there’s this from the article, “Meghan will be writing an opinion piece of her own as well as bringing a selection of female change-makers on board to write their own personal essays.” These women and their causes will receive exposure that they might not receive otherwise because of Meghan’s involvement. I’m sure Meghan’s patronages and charities she’s been associated with can attest to that. The other day One25 put out a call for socks and the Sussexsquad was on the case immediately. A few days later, One25 tweeted out photos of newly delivered boxes of socks they’d received. Meghan works hard and smart and inspires the same in her supporters.
It’s not a problem but I’d like to hear about empowerment from someone other than a celebrity.
As a journalist, I really look forward to this. Not so much about the photo shoot and all that – but about her writing. I have to agree with Arnk. I found her writing before very basic and not great at all. The same with her speeches. Her delivery is amazing but the speech itself is often flat and basic. The same goes for Kate.
You should look to Crown Princess Mary of Denmark in terms of great royal writing. Her speech to her husband’s 50 year birthday was amazing and won awards in Denmark.
Yup, Mary is very talented.
Yes.. hwr speech was great. But how do you know that Princess Mary didnt have help with her speech? Meghan speeches may be basic to you but that is how alot of people speak.
I agree with you.
With you Arnk!
I look forward to the photoshoot and the writing. It is a great way to start back full time duty.
I hope this is true because I would love to see it! I’d also enjoy seeing what a professional stylist could do with Meghan. I feel like her fashion game is maybe 80% on point and this could take her over the top. I get that dressing like a royal is a learning process, though.
I am excited for Meghan. She may not get the cover but she is writing an opinion piece. Kate didn’t write an article; she posed for the magazine and she got praised and skewered for those pictures being in the National Gallery. Meghan will get knocks for what she may write but I look forward to the issue.
Going to British Vogue sends a message to the British media: trashing me and weaponizing my family will not compel me to grant you an interview.
I know most are looking forward to the photo but I am looking forward to her essay; Meghan is very articulate and I want to see how she uses this opportunity to further raise the profile of her work
Yes, there are lots of women who are much more qualified to talk on the subject of empowering women. And when The Economist does a cover story, they can get one of those women to guest edit.
This is British VOGUE. It’s a FASHION magazine, devoted to clothes, makeup and other fun stuff. Under those circumstances, the Duchess of Sussex is one of the most QUALIFIED women in the world to guest edit and do a cover.
I hope she has final approval on everything prior to publishing.
Arnk, “Meghan will be writing an opinion piece of her own as well as bringing a selection of female change-makers on board to write their own personal essays.” You can skip Meghan’s essay and just read the others. Too bad you feel that way because Meghan was not born a celebrity and had to empower herself in order to achieve what she did prior to meeting Harry. I’d be more interested in her point of view than someone born with every advantage.
She was selected by the UN because she was a celebrity- that’s how the UN & other organisations work when it comes to their PR side. They don’t pick regular, hardworking humanitarian/activist women to become ambassadors because they want people with a celebrity profile to champion their causes. In this regard, Meghan certainly had an advantage over regular women doing the real work in the field. She was able to do what she did with the UN because she was an actress with an interest in certain causes. I’ll be looking forward to the women she chooses to highlight.. nobody cares about your work if you aren’t in the spotlight. It’s unfair but it’s true.
Wowee, some nasty bitter Betties are out in force on this thread. What does a Vogue photo shoot has to do with the UN.