Now Harry’s girlfriend Meghan is hailed as future global leader
Meghan Markle has followed in the footsteps of Princess Diana
PRINCE Harry’s girlfriend Meghan Markle has followed in the footsteps of Princess Diana by posing for a photoshoot in Vanity Fair.
The 35-year-old US actress has cemented her status as a potential royal wife by appearing in the “global leaders” edition of the magazine.
She features alongside such luminaries as singer Cher, Harry Potter actress Emma Watson, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and former Irish president Mary Robinson.
Meghan, who has been dating Harry for seven months, joined other famous faces at the shoot at the One Young World summit in Ottawa, Canada, from September 28 to October 1 last year. The pictures, taken by US photographer Jason Schmidt to accompany words by the Pakistani poet Fatima Bhutto, appear in this month’s edition of the magazine.
Since her relationship with the world’s most eligible bachelor became public knowledge, Meghan, who stars as Rachel Zane in the TV legal drama Suits, has cut back on the publicity work she does to promote her career and favourite causes. But these pictures were taken just before the royal romance was revealed.
At the time she described on her website how she had jumped at the chance to become a counsellor at One Young World, a global forum for young leaders.
“One Young World invites young adults from all over the world who are actively working to transform the socio-political landscape,” she wrote.
“They are speaking out against environmental crises, human rights violations, gender equality issues, discrimination and injustice.”
About 1,300 young people gathered in Ottawa to discuss some of the biggest issues facing the planet. The Emma Watson Scholarship, recognising work to advance gender equality, was launched at the summit.
Meghan, who spent much of the winter in London with Harry, is about to start filming the seventh series of Suits in Toronto this month.
Friends say that she and Harry, 32, are extremely happy but have suggested that when the relationship hits the one-year mark will be the time to assess whether it is likely to end in marriage.
Meghan’s friend Lindsay Roth, who has known her for 15 years, praised her in an interview with US magazine People earlier this week for the way she has handled the pressure of being in a royal romance.
“We should all strive to handle the ups and downs of our lives as gracefully, smartly, elegantly, positively, realistically and graciously as Meg has,” she said.
“She has developed into an extraordinary businesswoman, actress, writer and advocate for women and children.”