Meghan Markle’s Vogue Standoff: A Royal Clash with Edward Enninful

In a revealing account from Tom Bauer's latest book, the tensions between Meghan Markle and British Vogue editor Edward Enninful during her guest-editing stint for the magazine's September 2019 issue come to light.

The narrative unfolds with Markle clashing with Enninful and his team over editorial suggestions and the publication timeline.

Ultimately, frustration boiled over, leading Enninful to instruct his staff to disregard her input entirely.

Markle's ambition was clear; she famously declared, “I want to break the internet,” signaling her desire to control her public persona.

However, the editorial team appeared visibly strained by her demands, often masking their irritation.

Much of what Markle contributed was seen as superficial, lacking depth or coherence, likely in an effort to sidestep any potential conflict.

Despite this, they mistakenly believed her ideas were largely influenced by her PR consultant, Sunshine Sachs, when in reality, they stemmed from Markle herself.

The interactions between Markle and Enninful were described as philosophical discussions over mint tea, yet they were fraught with tension.

As the publication date loomed, Markle offered unsolicited advice on how to generate buzz online, referencing leaks as her inspiration.

Enninful, however, remained unimpressed, emphasizing the importance of secrecy for a successful launch.

Such frustrations were part of the job for him, as curating an entire issue around the Duchess was both a journalistic triumph and a commercial strategy aimed at positioning Markle as a transformative figure in society.

Enninful's editorial piece praised Markle as a “brilliant biracial American powerhouse,” underscoring her positive influence.

Yet, the Vogue staff noted that Markle never seemed to reflect on whether her actions might blur the lines of propriety in her relationship with Enninful.

Unlike Prince William, who had previously cautioned against excessive openness with the media, Markle appeared uninterested in maintaining any boundaries.

William had articulated a crucial lesson about engaging with the press, warning that letting them in too deeply could lead to complications.

He advised maintaining a barrier to avoid future pain and problems.

Markle, however, was intent on making a splash, desiring a cover feature similar to Kate Middleton's celebrated appearance for Vogue's centenary in 2016.

Throughout various discussions, the editorial team attempted to persuade her that such a move might come across as boastful.

Publicly, Enninful would later claim that Markle chose not to appear on the cover out of a desire for humility.

However, many of his staff members felt that the decision was imposed upon her.

In the end, the coveted cover went to Salma Hayek, a Hollywood star married to billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault, who just happened to be one of Vogue's top advertisers.

Recently, fans of the royal family caught a sly jab at Markle in an episode of South Park.

In the show's “Worldwide Privacy Tour,” the Prince and Princess of Canada engage in interviews while demanding privacy, all while letting off fireworks.

One particularly telling scene features the couple covering the house of a character named Kyle with magazine covers, including a spoof of Middleton's Vogue cover, but featuring a parody of Markle instead.

This moment seems to poke fun at Markle's perceived tendency to mimic Kate's style.

While some viewers may have missed the underlying humor, many fans of Buckingham Palace appreciated the satire.

Social media lit up with reactions, with one user exclaiming, “Laughing my *ss off.

Even in South Park, Meghan copies Catherine.” Others praised the show's attention to detail, highlighting the cleverness of the parody.

As the drama surrounding Meghan Markle continues to unfold, it reflects not only her complex relationship with the media but also the broader implications of her royal status.