Meghan Markle’s once-promising relationship with British Vogue editor Edward Enninful has reportedly soured — and it all comes down to a major clash over expectations, according to royal insiders.
Meghan who previously collaborated with Enninful on the magazine’s iconic “Forces for Change” issue in 2019, had hoped for another splashy moment in the spotlight. But insiders claim the former royal was left disappointed when Enninful couldn’t deliver the visibility she expected.
According to a Condé Nast insider who spoke to the Daily Mail, Meghan and her team had set their sights high — expecting either a prestigious print cover or at least a prominent digital cover feature. But things didn’t go according to plan.
“The Duchess and her team had high expectations,” the insider revealed. “They were hoping she’d land a major cover. But Edward already had that month’s cover locked in, and there was simply no room to shift things around.”
Instead, Enninful reportedly offered Meghan a featured spread inside the magazine and a prominent online piece — still a significant offer for most celebrities. But for Meghan, it wasn’t enough. She turned it down.
“The whole process became very difficult,” the source added. “Edward could only promise her a big showy feature inside the magazine and online — but she declined.”
This quiet fallout marks a dramatic turn in what had once been hailed as a close creative partnership. Meghan’s 2019 guest-edited issue of Vogue — which spotlighted female change-makers and humanitarian figures — was one of the magazine’s best-selling editions and drew wide acclaim.
At the time, Enninful praised Meghan for her hands-on approach and vision. But behind the scenes, insiders now claim there was more tension than the public realized, with competing ideas and differing creative visions complicating the collaboration.
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This latest report comes as Meghan attempts to reposition her public image in the U.S., amid declining popularity and ongoing friction with the British public. A high-profile Vogue cover would have been a powerful tool in her brand revival — but it appears the duchess miscalculated her influence at Condé Nast.
The setback also suggests that some doors in the fashion and media world may be harder to open than before. Despite Meghan’s previous Hollywood success and royal prestige, the media landscape has changed — and some editors may be more cautious about working with her.
Critics are already interpreting the Vogue drama as another example of Meghan’s alleged frustration when things don’t go her way, pointing to past tensions during royal life and media collaborations. But supporters say she’s simply holding firm to her standards — and refusing to accept anything less than top billing.
Still, the loss of a Vogue cover is no small blow. It would’ve served as a powerful visual statement during a time when Meghan and Harry are trying to reinvent themselves as American philanthropists and media moguls.
Some insiders speculate that Meghan may now look to U.S. outlets like Time, Vanity Fair, or even The Cut for her next big moment. But with the high-profile rift now leaked, other editors may approach future negotiations with more caution.
Whether or not Meghan and Edward Enninful can mend fences remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Meghan Markle is still fighting for the spotlight — and she’s not willing to settle for anything less than center stage.
