Meghan Markle asked photographer not to edit out freckles of the 15 women in her Vogue issue, refused to appear on cover as it would be 'boastful'
The Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle has guest edited British Vogue's September issue, becoming the the first guest editor of the September issue in the magazine’s 103-year history. However, she chose to leave herself off the cover of the magazine over fears that she would look too "boastful".
Instead, she chose to focus on 15 women who "break barriers".
From selecting the cover stars and interviews to choosing the photographer, Meghan was highly involved in the creation of the issue.
As reported by Vogue, British Vogue's editor-in-chief Edward Enninful addressed the mother of one's choice to keep herself off the cover unlike her sister-in-law Kate Middleton who graced the cover in June 2016.
Enninful spoke about discussing the cover with Meghan and "in the end, she felt that it would be in some ways a 'boastful' thing to do for this particular project. She wanted, instead, to focus on the women she admires."
The cover features the likes of teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg and New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern. The magazine also contains a conversation between Meghan and former first lady of the United States, Michelle Obama.
The cover page has been divided into 16 slots which feature the pictures of the women. One of the slots on the cover is a mirror which encourages the reader to use their own platform for change. Meghan chose photographer Peter Lindbergh for the photoshoot.
Lindbergh revealed that he had very specific instructions from the Duchess which were, "I want to see freckles!". The September edition has been entitled 'Forces For Change' and the Buckingham Palace said that this highlights "trailblazing change-makers, united by their fearlessness in breaking barriers."
New mother Meghan reportedly spent seven months working on the special Vogue project.
She is hoping "to take the year's most-read fashion issue and steer its focus to the values, causes, and people making impact in the world today."
Meghan herself said, "Through this lens, I hope you'll feel the strength of the collective in the diverse selection of women chosen for the cover as well as the team of support I called upon within the issue to help bring this to light. I hope readers feel as inspired as I do, by the forces for change they'll find within these pages."
