Graydon Carter Critiques Meghan Markle in New Memoir

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Graydon Carter, the former editor of Vanity Fair, has stirred controversy in his newly released memoir, “When the Going Was Good,” by sharing his candid reflections on various celebrities, including Meghan Markle.

Carter, who oversaw the magazine for 25 years, recounted his decision to put Markle on the cover in 2017 while she was still relatively unknown as an actress on the show “Suits.” He was persuaded by his features editor Jane Sarkin, who informed him, “We should do a cover on Meghan Markle, because she’s going to marry Prince Harry.” Carter’s response at the time was, “I have no idea who that is.”

The September 2017 issue, which featured the headline, “She’s Just Wild About Harry,” was pivotal for Markle, as it confirmed her relationship with Prince Harry amid tabloid gossip. In the interview, Markle proclaimed, “We’re a couple. We’re in love.” However, the relationship also brought complications, as Harry was hesitant about her participating in the feature before they received his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II‘s approval to become engaged.

To soften the portrayal of her relationship with Harry, Markle requested that the interview focus primarily on her work as an actress and her philanthropic efforts. In a reflection shared with the New York Post, Carter detailed how Markle challenged the reporter, saying, “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.”

Carter’s observations led him to dismiss Markle’s claims regarding her activism, suggesting that Hollywood philanthropy often lacks sincerity. In Bower’s 2022 book, “Revenge: Meghan, Harry and the War Between the Windsors,” Carter noted that the magazine’s fact-checkers had difficulty verifying Markle’s assertions about her charitable origins.

In a separate account, Markle claimed to have raised objections to sexist advertising as a child, alleging that her efforts led to a change in Procter & Gamble‘s marketing. However, Bower indicated that Markle participated in an ongoing letter-writing campaign and that her father, Thomas Markle, encouraged her to pursue activism.

Carter reflected on the broader implications of the interview in the context of royal family dynamics, specifically how Princess Diana might have perceived the ongoing tensions between Prince Harry and his family. He commented, “I would think she would feel great sorrow for her son to have been pulled away from his family like this, especially his brother but also his father.”

With the release of his memoir, which offers insights into his experiences leading Vanity Fair, Carter’s remarks have sparked renewed discussion about Markle’s public persona and relationships. Carter’s nuanced perspective on Hollywood, celebrity culture, and philanthropy continues to resonate, especially as Markle and Harry navigate their lives outside the royal spotlight.