The world can’t stop talking about Meghan Markle’s cover for the September issue of British Vogue.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, LGBTQ advocate and actress Laverne Cox, and boxer Ramla Ali are among 15 trailblazing female figures who will be on the cover. Titled “Forces for Change,” the issue will also include a conversation between the Duchess of Sussex and former first lady Michelle Obama.
But Markle won’t be on the cover herself. She reportedly felt that it would be “boastful” to include herself. And that decision is facing backlash, with many accusing Markle of shading her sister-in-law, Kate Middleton, through the remark.
Why are people saying Markle shaded Middleton with her Vogue cover?
Some people are convinced that Markle’s decision not to feature herself because it felt “boastful” is a jab toward Middleton, who appeared on the cover of Vogue back in 2016.
Meghan Markle said appearing on the cover of her Vogue issue would have been ‘boastful,’ even though Kate Middleton did it 3 years ago https://t.co/iKqsvUww1D via @thisisinsider LOL Love the SHADE !!! YAS Duchess !!!
— HRH Countess Stacie (@HRHStillStacie) July 30, 2019
But it’s worth pointing out that the covers served two totally different purposes.
According to Newsweek, Middleton appeared on the cover “to promote pictures of herself at the National Portrait Gallery.” Markle, on the other hand, used her Vogue cover to highlight women she “admires.” It features 15 women who are “raising the bar for equality, kindness, justice, and open-mindedness.” It also has a 16th slot, which is a mirror, so that readers can feel encouraged “to use their own platforms to effect change.”
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Markle and Middleton have faced feud rumors for months now. Lately, they’ve made several appearances together, which quieted the rumors. However, sources have said that the outings are nothing more than a PR stunt, created to stifle reports of tension between the two royals.
Markle’s cover has faced backlash for other reasons, too
For one, people are upset that Markle didn’t feature Queen Elizabeth.
“Why didn’t she put more British people on the cover. And isn’t the Queen an inspirational figure?” one person wrote.
Another person echoed that comment. They wrote, “Why isn’t HM The Queen included on the cover of September’s Vogue, @RoyalFamily? Her Majesty is the perfect role model: like many of us she had no choice but to do the job she was given.”
So, clearly, they aren’t holding back. And, sadly, that’s not the only backlash Markle has faced over her Vogue cover.
Some are accusing Markle of plagiarism
Some people accused the duchess of copying the best-selling book The Game Changers by Samantha Brett and Steph Adams, for which she penned an essay in 2016. For what it’s worth, they do have similar formats. Both covers honor a trove of women and use a black-and-white-photo grid. See?
Brett offered some thoughts on the matter to The Daily Mail, saying she couldn’t believe the cover. “It’s obviously very flattering; she obviously likes our concept. I love Meghan and am a huge fan, but if what people are alerting us to is true, then it’s extremely disappointing,” she said.
While they may look a bit similar, black-and-white photo grids are pretty popular. And besides, the important thing here is that they both highlighted some very significant women.
Isn’t that more important than any feud, snub, or anything else?
