Meghan Markle’s latest sit-down with Harper’s Bazaar turned out to be full of small, almost surreal moments—starting with the way she was formally introduced to a nearly empty room.
When writer Kaitlyn Greenidge arrived at a friend’s home in New York for their chat, a house manager announced, “Meghan, Duchess of Sussex” even though they were practically the only two people standing there.
The whole scene, as Greenidge put it, felt almost comically regal.
Later, during another part of their interview at the Beverly Hills Hotel, Meghan was handed a cappuccino that came with her own face dusted into the foam.
Completely unrequested, completely unexpected.
She laughed, recognizing the photo used—something from her trip to South Africa with Prince Harry—and even snapped a picture of the drink because the whole thing was so absurdly delightful.
Why Harry Still Makes Her Light Up
Talking about Prince Harry brought out a warm, almost glowing side of Meghan.
According to Greenidge, the moment his name came up, Meghan pressed a hand to her heart and spoke with real emotion.
She described how Harry loves her “boldly and fully,” and how he’s always looking out for her in ways she might not even realize because of what he sees in the media.
What first drew her to him? His sense of wonder, she said—his playful spirit, that childlike spark that made her feel encouraged to embrace her own.
Letting Go of Perfection and Making Space for Brave Moments
Meghan also admitted she’s learned to accept her own imperfections.
Trying to be flawless, she said, just isn’t that fun, especially when her kids—Archie and Lilibet—are watching her navigate life. She wants them to see bravery, not pressure.
That same mindset shows up in her As Ever brand, which she calls a return to fearlessness.
She even remembers the early days when her jam—now one of her signature products—was just bubbling on her stove.
Kids, she noted, take risks naturally, and she’s trying to return to some of that boldness in both her work and motherhood.
How Her Mother Influences Her—but Not Always Directly
Meghan also talked about her own upbringing and how different her parenting style is from her mother Doria Ragland’s.
Doria, she said, has always been a “free spirit,” while Meghan finds herself taking a more hands-on, integrated approach.
She even keeps her office right next to the kitchen in their Montecito home, which means business meetings often involve at least one child perched on her lap.
She hopes they grow up seeing the value in trying new things—and the courage in getting it wrong sometimes.
The Barefaced Cover and the Look Behind It
The magazine’s December 2025/January 2026 cover shows Meghan in a pared-back, almost makeup-free look: slicked-back hair, dangling diamonds, and a deep-cut black silk blazer tied neatly at the waist.
Inside the spread, she appears again in a red, sleeveless dress with a striking cape sweeping over one shoulder.
This edition of the magazine is billed as the “art issue,” and Meghan’s visuals lean into simplicity with just a bit of theatrical flair.
Growing Through Imperfection—In Life and Business
When the conversation turned to careers and motherhood, Meghan shared how much she’s learned from tough moments.
If everything is smooth, she said, you don’t grow.
But when challenges happen—when things feel too big or too scary—you learn, you adapt.
She watches Archie and Lilibet face those feelings every day as they tackle new milestones, and she tries to give herself the same patience she gives them.
“There’s no such thing as perfect,” she said. “I get to make mistakes too.”
The Harry Chapter Continues
Of course, Meghan also touched on her life with Harry, whom she married in 2018.
They now share six-year-old Archie and four-year-old Lilibet, and much of their world revolves around balancing family, work, and the ever-complicated landscape of public life.
The Paris Fashion Week Moment Everyone Talked About
She also addressed that viral appearance at the Balenciaga show during Paris Fashion Week—an outing that stirred some gossip after designer Pierpaolo Piccioli reportedly said she’d invited herself via text.
Meghan explained it differently: she reached out simply because she was excited for him and wanted to support a friend.
They decided to keep her attendance quiet, and she insists the whole experience was genuinely fun.
Boundaries, Authenticity, and the Public Eye
Much of the interview returned to the idea of authenticity.
Meghan said that once public scrutiny intensified, she naturally grew stronger boundaries.
You learn to protect yourself, she explained—whether out of self-preservation or simply growing up.
If you start making choices based on judgment from the outside world, she added, you lose the core of who you are.
Friends Who See Her Differently Than the Headlines
Greenidge also spoke with two of Meghan’s close friends—Serena Williams and businesswoman Kelly Zajfen—who painted a warm, sometimes surprising picture of the duchess.
Serena joked that they can talk endlessly and still feel like time barely moved, mimosas often included.
Zajfen emphasized Meghan’s humor, something she feels the public rarely sees.
But the most heartfelt moment came when Zajfen spoke about losing her nine-year-old son in 2022.
She revealed that Meghan reached out right away—even after years of not being in close contact—and has checked in almost every day since.
For her, what stands out is not just the sympathy but the consistency: Meghan showed up, and she stayed.
A Return to Magazine Covers—But on Her Own Terms
Meghan’s new Harper’s Bazaar cover marks her first major magazine feature since her digital New York Magazine profile back in 2022.
That story offered a look into her and Harry’s Montecito home; this new one offers something more personal: a glimpse of how she’s trying to live, work, and parent with intention—however messy the process may be.
Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn