Meghan Markle, who became the Duchess of Sussex after marrying Prince Harry in 2018, made a bold move before officially joining the royal family that raised eyebrows. In 2017, just a month before the couple announced their engagement, Meghan graced the cover of Vanity Fair with the headline “Wild About Harry.” The move sparked controversy, with many speculating that it departed from royal tradition and set the stage for the challenges she would face within the royal family.
The Controversial Vanity Fair Cover
Meghan’s decision to openly discuss her relationship with Prince Harry on the cover of Vanity Fair was seen as a bold break from the norms expected of royal figures. British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard commented that Meghan’s appearance was “not usual protocol for someone joining the revered British royal family.” Chard explained to Fox News Digital that the candid interview about her personal life, especially her relationship with Harry, was a departure from the usual restraint exhibited by royal family members.
The cover story, titled “Wild About Harry,” drew attention to Meghan’s deep connection with Prince Harry, a subject that the royal family typically keeps private. The interview reportedly left the royal family with a sense of “dread and embarrassment,” as it contradicted the expected level of privacy and formality.
Meghan’s Bold Move and Its Consequences
Helena Chard further suggested that Meghan did not foresee the impact of the Vanity Fair cover. While Prince Harry once remarked, “What Meghan wants, Meghan gets,” Chard noted that in this instance, Meghan didn’t achieve exactly what she hoped. The cover marked the beginning of many challenges Meghan would face as a royal, from media scrutiny to public debates over her choices.
Chard’s commentary highlights how Meghan’s public persona would evolve from a relatively private individual to a figure constantly in the media spotlight, often for her bold decisions.
Graydon Carter’s Role in the Cover
Graydon Carter, the editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair at the time, also played a significant role in the cover’s creation. In an interview with Page Six, Carter explained that although he didn’t know Meghan personally or follow her legal drama in Suits, he was introduced to her story due to her relationship with Prince Harry. Carter felt compelled to feature Meghan on the cover of Vanity Fair, as her association with the Prince brought new attention to her.
In his memoir, Carter reflected on how Meghan expressed disappointment with the media’s focus on her relationship rather than her philanthropic work. He noted that Meghan appeared “adrift on the facts and reality” when she realized the interview was more about her romance with Harry than her charitable initiatives.
The Impact on Meghan’s Royal Life
The Vanity Fair cover set the stage for Meghan’s evolving relationship with the British royal family. Her decision to openly speak about her relationship with Harry was an unconventional move that foreshadowed her ongoing struggle with balancing her desire for privacy and the intense public interest in her life.
Meghan’s high-profile media appearances, starting with the Vanity Fair cover, marked a significant departure from the typical royal family approach. This willingness to publicly share personal details helped shape her royal journey and the media narrative surrounding her, eventually leading to her and Prince Harry stepping back from their royal duties in 2020.
Conclusion: Meghan Markle’s Legacy in the Royal Family
Meghan Markle’s bold decision to appear on the cover of Vanity Fair in 2017 was a defining moment in her journey before joining the royal family. It showcased her willingness to speak openly about her personal life and relationships, an approach that would later become central to her public identity. While the cover sparked controversy and marked the beginning of many challenges within the royal family, it also established Meghan as a figure unafraid to challenge conventions and push boundaries.
As Meghan’s journey continues, her early media decisions, including the Vanity Fair cover, remain a crucial part of her story—a story of breaking royal protocols and setting a new course for herself and Prince Harry outside the traditional constraints of the monarchy.
