Duchess Meghan is a force to be reckoned with – that much has always been clear.
But when it was announced this week that she would be guest editing British Vogue‘s famed September issue, you can’t really blame us for assuming the glamorous gig had came to her on a very trendy silver platter.
Only now, it turns out this wasn’t the case at all – in fact, the construct of this entire glorious operation actually came about in a very unexpected way.
In her editor’s letter for British Vogue, parts of which have been released ahead of it’s official publication at the end of the week, Meghan outlines her thoughts and intentions behind the issue.
The letter is filled with some amazing insights into the last seven months she spent creating the issue, completed concurrently with her pregnancy, and then birth to her son Archie.
But there was one part of the letter that stopped us in our tracks, and it only reiterates what an unstoppable force Meghan really is.
The exciting announcement came with a stunning never before seen picture of Meghan.
(SussexRoyal)Speaking about a time before she had landed the Vogue editing gig, Meghan talked about meeting editor-in-chief Edward Enninful. At the time, she was in talks solely to do a cover (and perhaps an interview) with the magazine.
Be it from a sudden wave of inspiration or something that had been on the Duchess’ mind for a while, but the brave 37-year-old then did something none of us expected – she asked to edit the September issue.
Yep, Meghan took it upon herself to ask the person at the helm of one of the most influential publications in the world to have a hand in creating their biggest issue of the year.
And now, we are officially in awe of this Duchess even more.
Meghan is seen with Edward Enninful in a short trailer clip released to promote the magazine before it officially hits stands.
(SussexRoyal)Don’t get her wrong though – Meghan admitted she was a tad nervous about the whole thing.
“I typed and deleted the question several times until I built up the courage to ask the question in question: ‘Edward… instead of doing the cover, would you be open to me guest editing your September issue?'” She wrote in her guest editor’s letter.
Enniful naturally replied “yes”, saying that he would “love” for Meghan to be guest editor (we can’t really blame him on that one).
“I didn’t have to think: I knew the answer was yes. ‘We could call it Forces For Change’, I said, and the adventure began,” he explained.
WATCH: Duchess Meghan stars in British Vogue‘s “Forces For Change” video. Story continues after video…
Meghan also got candid in her guest’s letter, revealing some insight into how she felt when she found out she’d landed the gig.
The royal explained that she was: “Sitting on my sofa at home, two dogs nestled across me, I quietly celebrated when the words appeared on my screen.”
But despite seeming to be a master of many trades, this particular new role didn’t come as easily to Meghan as one might expect.
In fact, Meghan explained how she had to suss things out quick smart to keep up with her Vogue counterparts!
She wrote: “Trying to blend in, to keep up with the pace of these seasoned professionals, and to learn as much as I could as quickly as possible.”
The cover features 15 inspiring women, along with a space – for us, the reader.
(Peter Lindbergh)On her special issue, Meghan also elaborated on her intention in creating the theme ‘Forces for Change’.
The cover itself features 15 women who are “trailblazers” and “changemakers” according to Meghan. Some included are Kiwi PM Jacinda Ardern, actor and activist Jane Fonda and student and climate change activist Greta Thunberg.
Speaking about the women, Meghan said: “Some, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and enlisted personally for this issue, others I’ve admired from afar for their commitment to a cause, their fearlessness in breaking barriers, or what they represent simply by being.”
“For this issue, I imagined, ‘why would we swim in the shallow end of the pool when we could go to the deep end?’ A metaphor for life, as well as for this issue. Let’s be braver. Let’s go a bit deeper.”
WATCH: Meghan Markle makes a surprise appearance at the British Fashion Awards. Story continues after video…
To conclude her letter, Meghan ended with an amazing insight into her new life as a mum.
“By the time you hold this issue in your hands, my husband and I will be holding our three-month-old baby boy in ours,” she wrote.
“It’s a very special time for me personally, on so many levels; working with Edward and his team… has played no small part in that joy.”
Meghan and Harry are embarking on a new chapter, and the Duchess has shared some of that with the world in her open letter.
(Getty)
