Two years after shutting down her lifestyle blog, The Tig, the Duchess of Sussex made history as the first person in 103 years to guest edit British Vogue’s September issue. Since collaborating with the editor-in-chief of Vogue, Edward Enninful, fans have noticed Meghan Markle made some unusual imaginative choices in the process. The strangest aspect seems to be her decision to leave a blank space in the middle, which the 37-year-old addressed in an Instagram post.
WATCH: Inside Meghan Markle’s Vogue edition
Despite featuring 15 women across the cover, there is a blank spot in the middle, extending the collage to 16 rectangles.
In the Instagram post announcing the Vogue collaboration, Meghan explained that the blank space was a meaningful artistic decision.
“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,” the Sussex royal wrote.
In a separate Instagram post, Edward explained, “The 16th slot will appear as a mirror on the printed cover, and was included at the special request of the Duchess to show that you – that all of us, in fact – are part of this moment too.”
The Vogue spread features 15 women, including Jane Fonda, Salma Hayek and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
Across the front is the header, “Forces for CHANGE,” as part of Meghan’s decision to showcase impactful people in the cover.
“The Duchess chose a diverse selection of women from all walks of life, each driving impact and raising the bar for equality, kindness, justice and open-mindedness,” the caption read.
According to the editor, the Duchess of Sussex did not include herself in the cover, as she thought it would be “a ‘boastful’ thing to do for this particular project.”
“She wanted, instead, to focus on the women she admires.”
Meghan often makes a point of avoiding upstaging any causes and people she supports.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told Express that the Duchess of Sussex wears black to avoid garnering too much attention at events.
“The dress can become the news,” commented Fitzwilliams, adding, “wearing black does two things, it allows the cause that she is supporting and the people she is meeting to be more prominent.”
Fitzwilliams explained that black is a “safe colour” and “tends to mean that more publicity is given to the cause and the people”.
According to the Instagram post shared on the Sussex Royal account, Meghan said, “Guest Editing the September issue of British Vogue has been rewarding, educational and inspiring,” and thanked her friends for “lending their time and energy to help within these pages and on the cover.”
The 15 women on the cover are Adwoa Aboah, Adut Akech, Ramla Ali, Jacinda Ardern, Sinead Burke, Gemma Chan, Laverne Cox, Jane Fonda, Salma Hayek Pinault, Jameela Jamil, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Francesca Hayward, Yara Shahidi, Greta Thunberg and Christy Turlington Burns.
The spread also features “an exclusive interview between The Duchess and former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama, a candid conversation between The Duke of Sussex and Dr Jane Goodall, inspirational articles written by Brené Brown, Jameela Jamil and many others.”
The Duchess also expressed gratitude towards Edward for the “wonderful opportunity.”
The 47-year-old said the feeling was mutual, saying, “to have the country’s most influential beacon of change guest edit British Vogue at this time has been an honour, a pleasure and a wonderful surprise.”
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