Meghan Markle announced as guest editor of British Vogue

After months of speculation, it’s finally been confirmed that Meghan Markle has taken on a high-profile role with a major brand.

Meghan Markle has published details of her “candid conversation” with Michelle Obama as part of a special edition of British Vogue.

The Duchess of Sussex, 37, has been announced as the guest editor of the September issue, which is titled “Forces for Change” and features a collection of “trailblazing changemakers, united by their fearlessness in breaking barriers”.

The Palace revealed that as well as a conversation with the former US First Lady, the magazine will also feature an interview between Prince Harry and world-renowned ethologist and primatologist Dr Jane Goodall.

Meghan will publish an interview between herself and Michelle Obama. Picture: Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP

In a statement released by the Palace, Meghan gushed over the “rewarding process” of putting together the special edition of Vogue.

“These last seven months have been a rewarding process, curating and collaborating with Edward Enninful, British Vogue’s editor-in-chief, to take the year’s most read fashion issue and steer its focus to the values, causes and people making impact in the world today. “Through this lens I hope you’ll feel the strength of the collective in the diverse selection of women chosen for the cover as well as the team of support I called upon within the issue to help bring this to light. I hope readers feel as inspired as I do by the ‘Forces for Change’ they’ll find within these pages.”

Despite her involvement, Meghan declined to appear on the cover of the magazine herself.

“From the very beginning, we talked about the cover - whether she would be on it or not. In the end, she felt that it would be in some ways a ‘boastful’ thing to do. She wanted, instead, to focus on the women she admires,” Mr Enninful explained.

The September cover showcases 15 women chosen especially for their work as “forces for change”, including New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and actresses Salma Hayek, Jane Fonda, Laverne Cox, Gemma Chan, Yara Shahidi and Jameela Jamil.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in Melbourne this month. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Jameela Jamil has been previously acknowledged by the royals for her activism. Picture: Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

Also featured is mental health campaigner Adwoa Aboah, model and former refugee Adut Akech, boxer Ramla Ali, diversity advocate and lecturer Sinead Burke, Royal Ballet principal dancer Francesca Hayward, author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and student and climate change campaigner Greta Thunberg.

Model and founder of Every Mother Counts, Christy Turlington Burns, will also appear on the cover.

Rumours of Meghan’s involvement with British Vogue first surfaced months ago, around the time of Archie’s birth.

Meghan has chosen to feature women from a variety of fields whom she considers “forces for change”. Picture: Chris Jackson — WPA Pool/Getty Images

The secret project was closely guarded for months and is considered a major coup for British Vogue editor Edward Enninful, who managed to score the deal over US counterpart Anna Wintour.

The issue will be available online from this Friday, August 2.

Originally published as Meghan Markle announced as guest editor of British Vogue