The Duchess of Sussex and the former editor of British Vogue, Edward Enninful, were once inseparable.
So much so that Meghan recalled, after guest-editing the fashion bible six years ago, that they were ‘like-minded thinkers’ who enjoyed ‘philosophising’ over steaming cups of mint tea.
Today, however, they are no longer on speaking terms – and the reason for the fallout has remained one of fashion’s most tightly guarded secrets.
But The Mail on Sunday can now reveal that their friendship imploded during a disagreement over how Vogue planned to feature a glossy showcase of Meghan and Prince Harry‘s charitable work.
The coverage, designed to tie in with Meghan’s keynote appearance at the One Young World Summit in Manchester in September 2022, would have involved extensive features across the magazine and its digital editions.
But Conde Nast insiders claim it was abruptly pulled and scrapped completely.
A source said: ‘The duchess and her team had high expectations and were expecting she might get a print cover or at least a digital cover out of it, but Enninful was not able to meet those expectations. He already had a magazine cover in the bag for that month.’
Shelving the project is said to have caused irreparable damage to their friendship. ‘Edward was furious to have lost the project, as were the powers that be at Conde Nast,’ a source told the MoS.
The Duchess of Sussex (pictured) and the former editor of British Vogue, Edward Enninful, are no longer on speaking terms – and the reason for the fallout has remained one of fashion’s most tightly guarded secrets
The Mail on Sunday can now reveal that their friendship imploded during a disagreement over how Vogue planned to feature a glossy showcase of Meghan and Prince Harry ‘s charitable work
‘The duchess and her team had high expectations and were expecting she might get a print cover or at least a digital cover out of it, but Enninful (pictured)was not able to meet those expectations,’ a source said
‘The whole process became very difficult. Edward could only promise her a big showy feature inside the magazine and online – but she turned it down.’
According to insiders, the project needed a full production team including photographers, videographers, stylists and editors to shoot exclusive images and film an in-depth video feature with the Sussexes.
Sources claim that after Mr Enninful explained he had another cover in mind, Meghan’s team had asked if the couple could feature on Vogue’s special digital cover instead, which is released alongside the print edition.
But again, it is understood that Mr Enninful declined.
‘He didn’t think it was appropriate to give her the cover,’ the source explained.
It was then that Meghan’s team pulled the plug. Relations between the pair never recovered.
Sources add that during the years that followed Mr Enninful has increased his public involvement with the Royal Family, and claim this is not something Meghan could easily overlook, particularly as he was initially supportive of her now-infamous ‘Megxit’ Oprah interview in 2021.
Mr Enninful, who was awarded an OBE in 2016 for his services to diversity in the fashion industry, is a trustee for The King’s Fund, King Charles’s charity, and interviewed the monarch for Vogue when he was still Prince of Wales in 2020. He attended his coronation in 2023.
Meghan and Mr Enninful , were once inseparable. So much so that Meghan recalled, after guest-editing the fashion bible six years ago, that they were ‘like-minded thinkers’ who enjoyed ‘philosophising’ over steaming cups of mint tea
The Duchess of Sussex was the guest editor on the 2019 September issue of British Vogue
Mr Enninful follows all three of the King’s charitable organisations on Instagram – but tellingly, does not follow Meghan or any of her enterprises.
She was also said not to have been invited to a glittering black-tie gala in New York earlier this month for The King’s Trust, which was hosted by Mr Enninful and held at Casa Cipriani’s grand ballroom in New York.
Guests included Lionel Richie, Heidi Klum, Helena Christensen and British businesswoman Charlotte Tilbury. But Meghan, who attended Beyonce and James Taylor concerts in the past two weeks, was not on the list, sources say.
‘There is no way she was invited,’ said a source. ‘That was Edward’s American celebrity alternative to the Met Gala.’
It all stands in stark contrast to their previous relationship. In 2019, the pair collaborated on an issue of British Vogue which became the fastest-selling in the magazine’s 104-year history, selling out in ten days.
The ‘Forces for Change’ issue put inspirational women – including former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern and actresses Gemma Chan and Jane Fonda – on the cover.
The following year Mr Enninful addressed criticism Meghan had received when she joined the Royal Family.
He defended the duchess, calling her a ‘brave woman’ and describing the treatment of her as ‘very unfair’ and ‘harsh’.
But he said he ‘wouldn’t just blame it on racism’, adding: ‘I think sometimes it takes a minute to understand the rules.’ Whether he would defend her again today is another matter.
The Duchess of Sussex and Mr Enninful were approached for comment by the MoS.
Conde Nast also declined to comment.