ROYAL experts have defended Vanity Fair former editor Graydon Carter criticising Meghan Markle’s complaints after he put her on the cover in 2017.
The publishing boss admitted he “had no idea” who Meghan was at the time, however, someone said “she's going to marry Prince Harry“, which saw her land the front page.
According to the former editor, the then-Suits actress wanted the October Vanity Fair spread to focus on her charity efforts and philanthropy rather than Harry.
Carter, who created the iconic Vanity Fair Oscars party and edited the magazine for 25 years, added: “This woman is slightly adrift on the facts and reality”.
Now experts have said Meghan had “nothing to moan about”; with the shoot and she was “lucky”; to get the publicity.
Speaking on Flying Eze’s Royal Exclusive show, legendary Sun photographer Arthur Edwards said: “She had nothing to moan about.
“She got great publicity, and she was unknown.
“I never heard of her when I first heard she was linked with Harry. No one I knew had heard of her.
“No one in my family had heard of her. She was a complete unknown.
“I think she was lucky to get that publicity. I mean, and that's what she always sought—publicity.
“She wanted to say what a great actress she was.”;
During her cover interview, Meghan reportedly said: “Excuse me, is this going to all be about Prince Harry?
“Because I thought we were going to be talking about my charities and my philanthropy”.
News.com.au’s Royal Reporter Bronte Coy agreed with Arthur, saying: “The reporter was obviously asking about the fact she was dating Prince Harry.
“That had come out less than a year earlier.
“They went on to get engaged a couple of months later. It's the reason she was in the magazine. Let's be real.
“Suits was popular, but she's an ensemble cast member, and so she was a little put out.
“They weren't talking about her charity work instead.
“And so for him to then say she was a bit adrift from reality, I think, is a fair assessment.”;
The October 2017 issue was eventually finalised and called She's just wild about Harry.
A few months later the Duke's engagement was announced, and the pair tied the knot in May 2018.
Just two years later the couple had quit the UK and settled in California.
Timeline of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's relationship
- July 2016 – Meghan and Harry meet on a blind date set up by a mutual friend.
- August 2016 – The couple take a romantic trip to Botswana.
- November 2016 – Harry confirms their relationship in a public statement.
- November 2017 – Meghan and Harry announce their engagement.
- May 19, 2018 – The couple get married at Windsor Castle in a globally watched ceremony.
- May 6, 2019 – Meghan gives birth to their first child, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.
- January 2020 – Meghan and Harry announce “Megxit,” stepping back as senior royals.
- March 2020 – The couple officially leave royal duties and move to California.
- June 4, 2021 – Their daughter, Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, is born.
- December 2022 – Meghan and Harry release their Netflix documentary, Harry & Meghan sharing their side of the royal exit.
Mr Carter, who had known Harry's late mother Princess Diana, said: “Anytime someone comes between siblings that’s a disaster – horrible for a family.”
“I would think she [Diana] would feel great sorrow for her son to have been pulled away from his family like this, especially his brother but also his father”.
Mr Carter was the co-host of the 1994 Serpentine Gallery event where Princess Diana stepped out in her iconic ‘revenge dress'.
The revelations come as Mr Carter releases his new memoir this week, When the Going Was Good: An Editor's Adventures During the Last Golden Age of Magazines.
