Some fans questioned the decision to omit their children, who are seldom seen in public. Others accused them of being self-centered and seeking attention, and some even poked fun at them for choosing an older photo from November instead of a more recent one. The most surprising snub came from Vogue magazine, which removed the Sussexes' holiday card from its website and replaced it with Kate Middleton on the front page cover. The Duchess of Cambridge graced the cover of Vogue's January 2023 issue, elegantly adorned in a red gown and tiara.
The magazine hailed her as the embodiment of grace, elegance, and style, emphasizing her role as a pillar of strength for the royal family and the nation. Many interpreted Vogue's decision to remove Harry and Meghan's card from their website as a deliberate slight, especially considering the longstanding tensions between the former royals and the magazine. In 2019, Meghan became the first guest editor of Vogue's September issue, featuring 15 women she admired. However, the issue faced criticism for being overly political, preachy, and self-indulgent.
Some of the women Meghan chose, including activist Greta Thunberg and actress Jameela Jamil, were also controversial figures who had clashed with the royal family or the British public. Edward Enninful, Vogue's editor-in-chief and a close friend of Meghan, defended the issue, characterizing it as a courageous endeavor. He asserted that Meghan was the most misunderstood woman in the world and had faced unfair treatment from the media and the public. He hoped the issue would change the conversation and reveal her true self.
However, it appears that Vogue's readers did not share Enninful's admiration, as the issue reportedly sold less than half the expected number of copies, according to The Sun. The issue only managed to sell 120,000 copies, significantly lower than the average of 190,000 copies for a September issue, marking it as the worst-selling issue in the magazine's history.
Vogue's snub of Meghan Markle not only reflects the magazine's preference for Kate Middleton but also echoes the public sentiment towards the Sussexes. A recent poll by YouGov showed a significant decline in Harry and Meghan's popularity ratings in the UK, with only 27% of Britons having a positive opinion of Harry and 24% of Meghan. In contrast, Kate Middleton enjoys a 76% approval rating, making her the most popular royal after the queen.
Vogue's snub underscores the challenges Meghan Markle continues to face after distancing herself from the royal family, the media, and the public. She has become a polarizing figure, often subjected to criticism and ridicule, highlighting the ongoing difficulties she encounters despite her efforts. While she may have hoped that her holiday card would present a different image, it seems to have reinforced the existing perception of her as self-absorbed, fame-hungry, and ungrateful, further cementing her status as a polarizing figure in the world.
