When Edward Enninful launched his new magazine, EE72, it wasn’t just the celebrity-studded launch party in London that made headlines — it was what he didn’t do. Namely, featuring Meghan Markle.
Once hailed as a “bi-racial powerhouse” and “ultimate force for change” by Enninful during her 2019 guest edit for Vogue, the Duchess of Sussex was notably absent from his latest project.
A Legendary Collaboration That’s Now in the Past
Enninful and Meghan had previously shared a warm professional relationship.
The 53-year-old editor praised her hands-on approach while working on Vogue during her pregnancy, describing her as “the real deal” and a genuine force for change.
They were close collaborators, philosophizing over mint tea and sharing ideas about meaningful storytelling.
However, things reportedly began to shift in 2022. A planned Vogue feature on Meghan and Harry’s charitable work, timed to her One Young World Summit appearance, was abruptly canceled.
Meghan’s team had hoped for a cover or prominent digital feature, but Enninful had already committed to another cover that month.
The shelving of the project allegedly damaged their friendship, leaving a noticeable distance between the two.
EE72 Launch and Celebrity Power
Instead of Meghan, Enninful turned to his broader circle of A-list friends for his new £15 ($20) magazine.
The launch featured stars such as Julia Roberts, Gwyneth Paltrow, and supermodel Naomi Campbell.
The quarterly publication combines print with an online platform, showcasing influential figures including Serena Williams, Oprah Winfrey, Cynthia Erivo, and Anya Taylor-Joy.
When asked if Meghan might grace EE72 in the future, Enninful was candid: “Meghan and I had a great moment with the issue we did, but I feel like I have done it and I wouldn’t necessarily repeat myself.”
Royal Ties and a Shift in Focus
While his professional path with Meghan may have cooled, Enninful has strengthened ties with the monarchy.
Appointed Global Ambassador for King Charles’s youth-focused charity in 2021, he openly praised the King and Queen Camilla, calling them “charming, funny, and kind” and expressing willingness to feature them in EE72.
Enninful highlighted Charles’s dedication to supporting young people from underprivileged backgrounds, noting how the Prince’s Trust had personally benefited people he knew growing up on a council estate in West London.
“He could’ve let his privilege shield him from the realities of our hardship,” Enninful wrote, “but he always met us with an open mind and a listening ear.”
Reflecting on Professional and Personal Boundaries
The shift away from Meghan appears to be influenced by multiple factors — a combination of the canceled charitable feature, the distance after her move to the U.S., and Enninful’s increasing public involvement with the Royal Family.
Despite past closeness, it seems the editor’s focus has moved toward new projects, celebrity friends, and his work with the monarchy, leaving the door closed to repeating his collaboration with the Duchess.
From Vogue Legacy to EE72 Ambitions
EE72 marks a new chapter for Enninful, blending print and digital media while celebrating influential figures across culture, sport, and entertainment.
Though Meghan is absent from the pages, the magazine’s star-studded roster underscores Enninful’s enduring pull in the world of fashion and media.
For now, the editor seems content to honor his past collaborations while carving out a fresh creative path, even if that means moving on from a high-profile friendship with the Duchess of Sussex.