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Why is there a blank space on Meghan’s British Vogue cover?

The purposeful detail you might've missed. - by Chadielle Fayad
  • 30 Jul 2019

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 

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrive in Dubbo Play

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrive in Dubbo

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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."

sussexroyal View Profile
381.9k likes - View Post on Instagram
We are proud to announce that Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Sussex is the Guest Editor for the September issue of @BritishVogue. For the past seven months, The Duchess has curated the content with British Vogue's Editor-in-Chief Edward Enninful to create an issue that highlights the power of the collective. They have named the issue: "Forces for Change" For 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 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 women on the cover include: @AdwoaAboah @AdutAkech @SomaliBoxer @JacindaArdern @TheSineadBurke @Gemma_Chan @LaverneCox @JaneFonda @SalmaHayek @FrankieGoesToHayward @JameelaJamilOfficial @Chimamanda_Adichie @YaraShahidi @GretaThunberg @CTurlington We are excited to announce that within the issue you'll find: 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. Equally, you'll find grassroots organisations and incredible trailblazers working tirelessly behind the scenes to change the world for the better. "Guest Editing the September issue of British Vogue has been rewarding, educational and inspiring. To deep dive into this process, working quietly behind the scenes for so many months, I am happy to now be able to share what we have created. A huge thanks to all of the friends who supported me in this endeavour, lending their time and energy to help within these pages and on the cover. Thank you for saying "Yes!" - and to Edward, thank you for this wonderful opportunity." - The Duchess of Sussex #ForcesForChange

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”.

sussexroyal View Profile
1.3m likes - View Post on Instagram
This evening, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended #TheLionKing European premiere in London at the Odeon Theatre. In celebration of the film's release, The Walt Disney Company announced #ProtectThePride, a global conservation campaign to support efforts protecting the rapidly diminishing lion population across Africa. As a part of their commitment to this cause, Disney also made a donation to The Duke of Sussex's upcoming environment & community initiative which will be formally announced this autumn. The Duke and Duchess are committed to advancing conservation efforts across Africa and around the world, and working with communities to ensure a sustainable future for the planet. This evening Their Royal Highnesses had the pleasure of meeting the cast and creative team behind the film, as well as supporters of @africanparksnetwork, of which The Duke is President. Photo credit: PA images / Getty images - Chris Jackson

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."

sussexroyal View Profile
59.5k likes - View Post on Instagram
A sneak peek of the #ForcesForChange video for the September Issue of @BritishVogue. Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Sussex is the first Guest Editor for British Vogue's September Issue and for the last seven months has worked to create an issue of inclusivity and inspiration, focusing on what connects us rather than what divides us. Fifteen women were chosen for the cover including New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who generously lent her time to support The Duchess in this important issue. The women first met last autumn during Their Royal Highness' official tour of New Zealand. Above, PM Ardern says: "One change that I've noticed over the course of my career, is just how polarised the world is now. I do think there is a solution to that though, and that's ultimately us coming back to the humanity that we all share." Thank you PM Ardern for being an amazing force for change. For more details on this special project, please see previous post and stay tuned for more updates throughout the week.

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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