Meghan Markle's alleged demands for unprecedented editorial control and simultaneous front-page placement on both British and American editions of Vogue reportedly led to a breakdown in her relationship with former Vogue UK editor-in-chief Edward Enninful, sources told Page Six and the Daily Mail. The fallout reportedly cost the Duchess of Sussex a 2022 magazine cover timed to her appearance at the One Young World Summit.
According to insiders, Meghan, 43, had been in discussions with Enninful to appear in the September 2022 issue of British Vogue, traditionally the publication's most prominent annual edition. The proposed feature was expected to coincide with her high-profile speech in Manchester and include coverage across the magazine's digital platforms. However, the project reportedly unraveled after what one source described as an "impossible list of demands."
"Meghan asked for control over [the] photographer, writer, final edit, photos, cover lines, and wanted a global issue," a source told Page Six. "Nobody gets that. Not even Beyoncé."
Enninful, who had already scheduled supermodel Linda Evangelista for the September cover, is said to have rejected Meghan's request. According to the Daily Mail, Meghan then withdrew from the planned feature, allegedly leaving Enninful "furious" and Condé Nast executives frustrated by the collapse of a major editorial collaboration.
The duchess reportedly attempted to salvage her vision by appealing directly to Anna Wintour, the powerful editor-in-chief of Vogue US, who had already confirmed Serena Williams-one of Meghan's closest friends-as that edition's cover star. "Anna wasn't interested," a source said. "Meghan asked for a Zoom with her to reconsider, and Anna did it to be polite."
While Meghan has never appeared on a Vogue cover, she guest-edited British Vogue's "Forces for Change" issue in 2019, selecting activists and female trailblazers as cover stars instead of herself. Adele remains the only celebrity to have graced both British and American Vogue covers simultaneously, in November 2021.
A source told the Daily Mail that Meghan and her team had high expectations. "The duchess and her team were expecting she might get a print cover or at least a digital cover out of it, but Enninful was not able to meet those expectations."
Despite reports of professional friction, Page Six reported that Meghan and Enninful still exchange birthday wishes and flowers and maintain a "warm and respectful" relationship. Enninful stepped down from his role at British Vogue in February.
The dispute adds to a growing list of reported rifts between Meghan and former friends or collaborators. Over the years, the duchess has experienced strained ties with several high-profile figures, including stylist Jessica Mulroney, tennis champion Serena Williams, and various members of the royal family. Meghan's relationship with her in-laws-including King Charles and Queen Camilla-as well as Prince William and Princess Kate, has also remained publicly distant.
During September 2022, Meghan appeared on the digital cover of The Cut, and had been scheduled to feature on Variety's cover, which was delayed due to Queen Elizabeth II's death. The duchess was promoting her now-concluded Spotify podcast Archetypes at the time.
