Meghan includes Jacinda Ardern among her British Vogue cover girls
Meghan Markle has chosen New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as one of 15 cover girl stars for the September issue of British Vogue.
The Duchess of Sussex, who gave birth to son Archie in May, spent seven months working as guest editor for the ‘Forces of Change’ issue with the fashion bible’s editor-in-chief Edward Enninful.
The issue – the most important of the year because of its winter investment fashion and huge advertising dollars – also features a conversation between Meghan and former US first lady Michelle Obama.
“These last seven months have been a rewarding process, curating and collaborating” with Enninful, Meghan, 37, said in a statement.
She said the pair’s goal was “to take the year’s most read fashion issue and steer its focus to the values, causes and people making impact” in the world.
“Through this lens I hope you’ll feel the strength of the collective in the diverse selection of women chosen for the cover.
“I hope readers feel as inspired as I do, by the ‘Forces for Change’ they’ll find within these pages.”
Ms Ardern and Meghan first met during the royal couple’s tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga last year.
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and Jacinda Ardern in Rotorua on October 31. Photo: Getty
The duchess is the first guest editor of the September issue in Vogue’s 103-year history. It is believed a new photo of her will be included in the magazine but Archie will not appear.
As well as sitting down with Mrs Obama, Meghan roped in her husband Prince Harry, 34, for a chat with primatologist Dr Jane Goodall.
The pair caught up last week and shared a dance and ‘chimp greeting’ at St George’s House in the grounds of Windsor Castle, where the Sussexes live at Frogmore Cottage.
Among the group of 15 women are actors, models, politicians, authors, and advocates for everything from diversity and mental health to climate change and voting rights.
Meghan “chose” them for “raising the bar for equality, kindness, justice and open mindedness.”
The cover of Vogue, which will be on stands on August 2, includes teenage climate change campaigner Greta Thunberg, boxer Ramla Ali and actress and women’s rights campaigner Salma Hayek.
Author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, ballerina Francesca Hayward and model Adut Akech are also featured.
Along with the famous faces, “you’ll find grassroots organisations and incredible trailblazers working tirelessly behind the scenes to change the world for the better,” according to a statement posted on the SussexRoyal Instagram account.
Also included are “inspirational articles written by Brené Brown, Jameela Jamil and many others.”
“The sixteenth space on the cover, a mirror, was included so that when you hold the issue in your hands, you see yourself as part of this collective,” wrote Meghan on Instagram.
It’s been two years since Meghan shut down her lifestyle blog The Tig, where she used to share travel stories, career advice, yoga poses and photos of brunches she had cooked.
She’s not the only royal to work with British Vogue. In June 2016, Kate Middleton, 37, appeared on the cover for the magazine’s 100th anniversary special issue.
Princess Beatrice, 30, and Princess Eugenie, 29, appeared in last September’s issue for their first joint interview, speaking about their relationship and Eugenie’s then-upcoming wedding.
