'Nervous' Meghan Markle text Vogue editor asking to guest edit magazine

Edward Enninful and the Duchess of Sussex began working on the September issue of British Vogue in January. [Photos: Getty]
Edward Enninful and the Duchess of Sussex began working on the September issue of British Vogue in January. [Photos: Getty]

The Duchess of Sussex nervously sent Edward Enninful a text asking him to guest-edit the September issue of British Vogue.

In her letter for the edition, Meghan, 37, reveals how she “typed and deleted the question several times” until she’d built up the courage to run her idea past the magazine’s editor-in-chief.

She explains that while they have “several mutual friends,” their first encounter was when she’d asked Mr Enninful, 47, to support one of her patronages Smart Works, which helps vulnerable women with employment.

Meghan, who was pregnant with her first child Archie at the time, says that when Mr Enninful replied and agreed to her idea, she “quietly celebrated when the words appeared on my screen,” while her two dogs lay nestled across her.

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This undated handout photo issued on July 28, 2019 by Kensington Palace shows Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Patron of Smart Works, in the workroom of the Smart Works London office. - Prince Harry's wife Meghan will guest edit the September issue of iconic fashion magazine British Vogue, which will see her in "candid conversation" with former first lady Michelle Obama. (Photo by @SussexRoyal / KENSINGTON PALACE / AFP) / XGTY / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / @SUSSEXROYAL" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - NO COMMERCIAL USE - NO THIRD PARTY SALES - RESTRICTED TO SUBSCRIPTION USE - NO CROPPING OR MODIFICATION - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS /         (Photo credit should read @SUSSEXROYAL/AFP/Getty Images)
The Duchess of Sussex, Patron of Smart Works, in the workroom of the Smart Works London office. [Photo: SussexRoyal/Getty]

The pair began working together on the influential September issue back in January, when Meghan was five months pregnant.

They had regular meetings to discuss who would feature on the cover, while she “was undergoing a crash course in editorial lingo.”

A behind-the-scenes video from British Vogue shows Meghan wearing a black sleeveless dress and standing arm-in-arm with Mr Enninful, as they watch a photoshoot.

Mr Enninful said of the duchess: “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 for this particular project.”

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Instead, Meghan has chosen 15 inspirational women who have made an impact for the issue they call ‘Forces for Change.’ There is a 16th spot to represent a mirror to encourage readers to see themselves and how they can make a change on their own platforms.

The edition, which is out on Friday 2 August, also features a candid conversation between Meghan and former first lady Michelle Obama and an interview between world-renowned ethologist and primatologist, Dr Jane Goodall and the Duke of Sussex.

Meghan signs off her guest editor’s letter by talking about being a new mother - “It’s a very special time for me personally, on so many levels; working with Edward and his team, both during my pregnancy and my maternity leave, has played no small part in that joy – it has been a privilege to be welcomed and supported by this amazing team.”

The duchess gave birth to baby Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor on May 6. She will reportedly return to her royal duties in autumn.