Has Vogue snubbed Meghan Markle? Royal fans wonder why the Duchess of Sussex didn't appear on former friend Edward Enninful's latest cover with 40 of the world's leading ladies

Victoria Beckham, Kate Moss and Gigi Hadid were among 40 British Vogue stars who gathered to shoot the cover of Edward Enninful's latest edition.

But for royals fans, Meghan Markle, 42, was noticeably absent from the impressive line-up – which also included Salma Hayek, Naomi Campbell and Miley Cyrus.

The Duchess of Sussex was once close friends with the outgoing editor-in-chief after she edited a 2019 issue of British Vogue.

But she was nowhere to be found on the latest cover of Enninful, which featured Meghan's friends Oprah Winfrey, Serena Williams and Jameela Jamil.

Eagle-eyed royal fans questioned the Duchess's lack of good looks, with one writing: 'Why did Meghan Markle deny us a Vogue cover because I know that man called her.'

Another person asked Endgame author Omid Scobie on X, formerly Twitter, “was your best friend #MeghanMarkIe busy that day?” after he shared the cover.

It is unclear whether the Duchess of Sussex has been contacted to appear on the magazine's cover.

Meghan's September 2019 'Forces for Change' issue featured inspiring women, including actresses Gemma Chan and Jane Fonda, and former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on the front cover.

When it was published, it was the fastest-selling issue in the magazine's 104-year history, selling out in less than 10 days.

The following year, Mr Enninful spoke to Sky News about the criticism Meghan faced when she joined the royal family, arguing that he did not believe it was solely due to racism.

He described the Duchess as a “brave woman” and said: “Some of it was probably racism, but it was more of an institution.”

He added that while the criticism was “harsh”, he would not “blame the blame solely on racism”, saying: “She walked into an institution and everyone expected her to know the rules.” And I think sometimes it takes a while to understand the rules.'

But Enniful, who previously praised King Charles as a monarch who can “evolve with the times” and is an ambassador for The Prince's Trust, continued to say he believed the treatment of her was “very unfair”.

Victoria Beckham, Kate Moss and Gigi Hadid were among 40 British Vogue stars who came together to shoot the cover for the latest edition of Edward Enninful

Last year, the 51-year-old announced he would be leaving his role at the top of the fashion magazine to take up a newly created position this year.

Enninful's latest shoot as editor-in-chief has brought together 40 stars from across Hollywood and the fashion industry, including Spice Girl and fashion designer Victoria Beckham, Love Island presenter Maya Jama and supermodel Naomi Campbell.

Enninful said: “So here it is: my 76th and final issue of Vogue, six and a half years and 153 cover stars later, including the 40 legendary women featured on this cover. It was an extraordinary ride and an absolute honor.

“As I step into my new role, as Conde Nast's global creative and cultural advisor for Vogue, I am determined to continue championing the incredible range of voices in fashion and media and ensure we continue the energy explosion of recent years keep it going. .

'We always say it because it always needs to be said: there is still a lot to be done.'

In a letter from the editor, Enninful described the “gratitude” he felt and said he was “proud that important work has been done” at the publication.

Other famous women featured on the cover of the British magazine include Killing Eve star Jodie Comer, Orange Is The New Black actress Laverne Cox, supermodel Cindy Crawford and singer Miley Cyrus.

British model and actress Cara Delevingne, actress and activist Jane Fonda, fashion model Gigi Hadid, Mexican-American actress Salma Hayek and singer Dua Lipa are also present.

Meghan's 'Forces for Change' issue in September 2019 featured inspiring women, including actresses Gemma Chan and Jane Fonda, and former Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern on the front cover

The following year, Mr Enninful spoke to Sky News about the criticism Meghan (pictured side by side) received when she joined the royal family, arguing that he did not believe it was solely due to racism.

There is also The Queen's Gambit star Anya Taylor-Joy, singer Rina Sawayama, fashion model Christy Turlington, TV presenter and actress Jameela Jamil and former tennis star Serena Williams.

The shoot was photographed by Steven Meisel and took place in December at a studio in Manhattan, New York.

Mr Enninful was honored with an OBE for services to diversity in the fashion industry as part of Queen Elizabeth II's 2016 Birthday Honors List.

He took over as editor-in-chief of British Vogue in August 2017, as the first black man to hold the top job at the British fashion magazine, and was promoted to European editor-in-chief of Vogue in December 2020.

During his years at the top of the fashion magazine, he continued to push boundaries and championed greater inclusivity in the industry.

He described the publication's May 2023 issue, which featured 19 people with disabilities from the worlds of fashion, sports, culture and activism and featured five people with disabilities on the cover, as “one of the proudest moments of my career'.

See the full article in the March issue of British Vogue, available via digital download and on newsstands from Tuesday 13 February.