The News
Meghan Markle’s Vogue Cover: A Glitzy Success or a Missed Opportunity?
In 2019, Meghan Markle made headlines when she took the helm of British Vogue's Forces for Change issue.
This collaboration with then-editor Edward Enninful was celebrated as a groundbreaking moment for the magazine, quickly becoming a hot topic in media circles.
Sales soared, and the issue was touted as a significant achievement.
Yet, as time passes, it appears that a more intricate story lies beneath this glamorous surface.
The Forces for Change edition showcased 15 remarkable individuals, handpicked by Meghan and Enninful, who were meant to represent a new wave of trailblazers.
It included a diverse array of activists, artists, and fashion icons.
However, the absence of notable figures like Queen Elizabeth II and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, raised eyebrows.
Their inclusion might have lent the issue a sense of credibility that many felt was lacking.
Despite the initial acclaim, not everyone was impressed.
Tina Brown, in her book The Palace Papers, described the issue as a “mystifying bore” for Vogue's traditional readership.
This criticism suggests that Meghan's vision may have leaned more toward creating a buzz than genuinely celebrating impactful change-makers.
The cover featured a unique mirrored panel, inviting readers to see themselves as agents of change.
Still, this led to questions about whether the focus was on reflecting Meghan's own image rather than fostering real societal progress.
Fast forward five years, and Enninful has stirred the pot once more by inviting the original lineup to nominate new game-changers.
While this move appears to continue the celebration of influential figures, it raises eyebrows about the lack of new content.
The new nominations include prominent names like Yasmin Phinney and Angelina Jolie, yet there's a conspicuous absence of Meghan's own contributions or any mention of her previous editorial influence.
This omission has sparked rumors that Enninful's enthusiasm for Meghan's guest editorship might be fading.
Speculation is rife that the initial success of the Forces for Change issue was less about its content and more about its distribution in high-profile settings.
This revelation prompts a critical question: Was the entire venture more of an inflated success story than a genuine triumph?
Adding to the intrigue is the silence from both Meghan and Enninful regarding the controversial editorial choices made during the issue's creation.
Sources close to the project suggest that Meghan, despite receiving advice to include figures like the Queen and Catherine, chose to overlook these suggestions.
Instead, the issue appeared to focus on self-congratulatory themes rather than acknowledging established contributors.
This decision has fueled speculation about Meghan's true intentions, while Enninful's reluctance to address these controversies only adds to the gossip.
His transition to a different role within Vogue could be seen as a strategic move to distance himself from the fallout of this collaboration.
Once hailed as a landmark edition in Vogue's history, the Forces for Change issue now seems to be a complicated and somewhat dubious chapter.
While it was initially praised for its innovative approach, the subsequent revelations about its content and decision-making processes have cast a shadow over its legacy.
As Meghan Markle steps back from the spotlight of this project, she finds herself in a curious position.
What was meant to be a defining moment now raises more questions than answers, leaving many to wonder about the true impact of her editorial choices.