Meghan Markle's Vanity Fair Cover Was Reportedly A Major 'Eye-Opener' For The Royal Family
Some insiders now claim the former actress used the feature to "solidify" their engagement, while others saw her as ambitious in leveraging royal connections.
This report comes after Meghan Markle faced criticisms from two ex-Vanity Fair editors, with one of them, Graydon Carter, claiming the duchess is "adrift from reality."
In 2017, Meghan featured on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine. However, when the issue was released with the headline "Meghan Markle, Wild About Harry!" she and the British royal family were reportedly taken aback.
The reaction behind palace doors was said to be one of unease, as the article offered insights into Meghan's personal life that broke from the traditional discretion expected of those entering the royal fold.
British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard told Fox News Digital that the feature "was an eye-opener for the royal family."
She explained: "A sense of dread and embarrassment engulfed them as Meghan's words and views were made public… The feature and editorial certainly wasn't a usual protocol for someone joining the revered British royal family."
Chard's remarks come after Graydon Carter, Vanity Fair's former editor-in-chief, implied that the Duchess of Sussex was concerned about her cover story and it being made "all about Prince Harry."
"Many of us were surprised to hear that she was unhappy with the cover and editorial," Chard noted. "A feature on the cover of Vanity Fair is not accessible to most relatively unknown people. Hence, the world viewed this as an unexpected successful coup for the future wife of Prince Harry."
However, she suggested that, in hindsight, Meghan's reaction makes more sense, noting, "[But] a few years later? Everything makes sense."
British broadcaster Chard further suggested that Meghan had a vision for the feature, noting that the duchess wanted the focus entirely on her, even as her relationship with Prince Harry rapidly evolved behind the scenes.
Chard also acknowledged that Meghan's rising profile was largely tied to her royal connection.
"She was understandably booked because of her Prince Harry connection," Chard explained. "Meghan Markle was not a big name, especially in the U.K. … Meghan Markle is an ambitious woman. She wants fame, positive notoriety, and all the glitz, glamour, and money that go hand-in-hand with this celebrated platform."
Chard also referenced King Charles' reported nickname for Meghan, "Tungsten," a metal known for its strength.
She noted that it was "an unusual yet complimentary nickname highlighting [Meghan's] tenacity."
According to Kinsey Schofield, host of the To Di For Daily podcast, some within the royal household questioned the timing of Meghan's Vanity Fair feature.
"Some within the palace have even suggested that it's how Meghan strategically solidified the engagement," Schofield told Fox News Digital.
Schofield also claimed that certain royal insiders viewed Meghan's approach as self-serving.
"It was also considered in poor taste for Meghan to use her connection to the monarchy to elevate herself," she explained.
Schofield continued, "Meghan wanted to wear Harry's initials around her neck; she wanted to discuss their relationship and take advantage of all the attention she was finally receiving. This was a deep concern for the palace because they felt like her heart was not in the right place."
In an interview with Page Six, Graydon Carter shared that his team was eager to spotlight the "Suits" alum.
"Jane Sarkin, who booked our covers, came in and said, 'We should do a cover on Meghan Markle,'" Carter recalled.
He continued, "I said: 'I have no idea what that is, why should we do a story on her?' So she said: 'Because she's going to marry Prince Harry.'"
According to Carter, Meghan later expressed concern about the direction of the interview, saying, "Excuse me, Is this going to all be about Prince Harry? Because I thought we were going to be talking about my charities and my philanthropy."
Carter remarked that her reaction suggested a disconnect from reality. "This woman is slightly adrift on the facts and reality," he said.
Reflecting on the late Princess Diana, whom he had known personally, Carter speculated on how she might have felt about Meghan's impact on Harry.
"I would think she would feel great sorrow for her son to have been pulled away from his family like this, especially his brother but also his father," he said. "Anytime someone comes between siblings, that's a disaster, horrible for a family."
However, not everyone saw Meghan's Vanity Fair cover as a calculated move. Royal expert Ian Pelham Turner offered a different perspective, arguing that Meghan's intentions were sincere.
"At the time, Meghan really wanted to ensure that her dream romance would not, in any way, be affected by anything. She also didn't want to appear to use the situation for personal gain," Turner told Fox News Digital.
"She upheld her philanthropic work and values. She was deeply in love with a man who she recognized had gone through the living hell of his mother's demise," Turner added.
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