Prince William has stepped into Meghan Markle's territory with a glossy power move. The Prince of Wales will be the guest editor for a November edition of Country Life magazine.
William is not the first member of the Royal Family to be given editorial control of the weekly magazine. His stepmother, Queen Camilla, produced a guest-edited edition in 2022 to mark her 75th birthday, which went on to become the magazine's biggest-selling issue of all time. The King, who was then the Prince of Wales, has also twice guest-edited Country Life. The first time was for his 65th birthday in November 2013 and then again for his 70th in 2018. In 2020, the Princess Royal, Princess Anne, also guest-edited an edition for her 70th birthday.
The move also draws comparisons and 'copies' how Meghan Markle guest edited the September 2019 issue of British Vogue, when she worked with editor-in-chief Edward Enninful on the influential “Forces for Change” September issue. The issue was the first to have been co-edited and highlighted 15 women from the worlds of politics, sport, and the arts, all of whom have made an inspiring impact on modern life.
Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, said at the time: "These last seven months have been a rewarding process, curating and collaborating with Edward Enninful, British Vogue's editor-in-chief, to take the year's most-read fashion issue and steer its focus to the values, causes and people making impact in the world today. Through this lens I hope you'll feel the strength of the collective in the diverse selection of women chosen for the cover as well as the team of support I called upon within the issue to help bring this to light. I hope readers feel as inspired as I do, by the 'Forces for Change' they'll find within these pages."
William will be guest editing a special edition of the weekly magazine released on November 11. The magazine said that the prince's edition will celebrate his love of the countryside, his desire to protect and enhance the environment, and will also reflect his advocacy for improving access to mental health services in rural regions. He will also be sharing his selection of notable countryside champions, as well as his most loved view, his chosen painting and favourite recipe.
William has already had his first meeting with Country Life's editor-in-chief Mark Hedges. The editor-in-chief described the prince as a “passionate countryman” who cares deeply about the welfare of those who look after the British countryside. Mr Hedges said: “I'm completely thrilled that the Prince of Wales has agreed to edit a very special issue of Country Life. Having met with him last week to discuss his plans for his edition, I was struck by what a passionate countryman he is and how much he cares about the welfare of those who manage it. I believe that HRH's views, concerns and hopes for its future will resonate deeply with our readers and I am excited to see how his energy and commitment to changing rural lives will be reflected in his curated edition.”
When he became heir to the throne, William inherited the Duchy of Cornwall landed estate, which spans 128,000 acres over 19 counties. He also has a countryside retreat, Anmer Hall, in Norfolk.
