Duchess of Sussex: September issue of Vogue which Meghan guest edited goes on sale
The royal has been criticised for guest editing the fashion magazine, but campaigners say some of the backlash is down to racism.
Saturday 3 August 2019 00:57, UK
The much-anticipated edition of Vogue magazine, guest edited by the Duchess of Sussex, has gone on sale.
Meghan decided to dedicate the prestigious September edition of the British magazine to 15 influential women, including climate activist Greta Thunberg, and New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
Under the title "Forces For Change", she has been working on the project for the past seven months, throughout her pregnancy.
Fans queued up outside the publisher's shop in central London to be the first to buy the magazine. Sandria Plummer, 55, said she was excited about the diverse contents Meghan had chosen.
She said: "It's special because the Duchess of Sussex is the editor for this month and...it's a once in a lifetime thing to have.
"It's a collectors' item so I'm excited that I've got two copies now."
But Meghan's decision to guest edit the publication and the "change makers" she's chosen to feature has divided opinion.
While some are celebrating her diverse agenda, others are criticising the project as out of touch with what is expected from her as a member of the Royal Family.
Sherelle Jacobs, assistant comments editor for The Telegraph, believes Meghan has missed an opportunity by choosing a glossy exclusive magazine to promote inclusivity and equality, and largely featuring models and actors turned campaigners.
Ms Jacobs said: "I think that there is a lack of awareness. I wouldn't say that people who are looking for a spiritual second calling, having been ravaged by fame, are the people that are going to save the planet."
Diversity campaigner Nova Reid believes some of the backlash is down to racism.
She believes that the use of words like "narcissistic" and "boastful", which have been used to describe Meghan's magazine, highlight how much subtle racism still exists in British culture.
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She told Sky News: "It's systematic, it's in our subconscious. It's in the way we treat people, in the way we promote or we don't promote them, it's in the way that people have access to healthcare and don't.
"So I think it's highlighting that we have a very troubling and unresolved issue with racism, systemic racism in this country."
Meghan said she wanted the magazine to focus on "values, causes and people making an impact in the world today".
She added to the readers: "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."