Vanity Fair’s latest article about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle follows a familiar pattern from the British tabloid playbook. As Harry’s court case against Rupert Murdoch’s News Group Newspapers over unlawful practices gains traction, articles like Vanity Fair’s conveniently surface to distract and discredit. Instead of acknowledging the Sussexes’ positive impact, like Meghan’s community work or Harry’s advocacy for veterans, Vanity Fair recycles baseless claims.
This isn’t a coincidence. The timing aligns with a strategy to undermine Harry’s fight for media accountability while overshadowing the Sussexes’ accomplishments. By dissecting the motives and tactics behind that article, we can expose how it serves as a distraction from the media’s unethical behavior and a weapon in a larger smear campaign.
Related | British Tabloids Face Declining Influence
Vanity Fair’s Article Aligned with Meghan Markle’s Now Postphoned Netflix Show
The timing of Vanity Fair’s article about the couple’s media ventures is curious to say the least. The publication of the piece just days before Meghan’s Netflix cooking show premiere suggests that the royals and media coordinated efforts to overshadow her project. This lines up with a consistent pattern of negativity targeting the Sussexes during critical moments with their ventures while a litany of fluff promotion for the “working-royals“.
For example, the media used Kate Middleton’s cancer-free announcement to draw attention away from Meghan Markle joining a book club event with Oprah Winfrey in September 2024. Now, the media has recycled that same cancer-free story to ‘remission‘ to overshadow Meghan’s Netflix show premiere once again. These changes, along with vague details about her cancer treatment show how the media controls timing and stories to shape public opinion.
The Daily Mail takes this a step further by contrasting Kate Middleton’s hospital visit, described as a “masterclass,” with Meghan Markle’s wildfire relief efforts, labeled a “disasterclass.” Rebecca English, in her segment on Palace Confidential, promotes this narrative, framing Kate in a positive light while vilifying Meghan.
These carefully timed stories highlight a double standard and a deliberate strategy of using royal narratives, notably Kate Middleton’s, to diminish Meghan’s achievements. The media’s coordination with royal factions undermines Meghan and Harry while distracting from the more significant issues of media accountability and unethical practices.
Why Vanity Fair Serves as a Distraction To Undermine Prince Harry’s Fight for Justice
The Vanity Fair article, published on January 17, 2025, coincided with Prince Harry’s ongoing legal battles against media outlets over phone hacking and privacy invasions. These lawsuits seek accountability for unethical practices, yet Harry’s fight often triggers waves of damaging stories designed to undermine his credibility. Vanity Fair’s Chief Royal Editor, Katie Nicholl, plays a notable role in these controversies. Although Vanity Fair is not owned by Rupert Murdoch, Nicholl previously worked for Murdoch-owned publications and the Daily Mail, both implicated in Harry’s legal claims.
At her time at the Mail, Nicholl’s articles were soaked with references to private phone calls and text messages, mirror patterns seen in tabloid rivals accused of disguising illegal acts, including phone hacking. Her reports delved into Prince Harry’s friendships with Natalie Pinkham, Chelsy Davy, and Natalie Imbruglia, raising questions about the sources of her information. Despite denials of knowingly using illegally obtained data, Nicholl and her former outlets face scrutiny for their journalistic practices, which Britain’s leading privacy judge has criticized.
The Vanity Fair piece aligns with a similar pattern at the Mail of using unsubstantiated claims and recycled narratives to shift focus away from media misconduct. By publishing at a critical moment in Harry’s lawsuits, it serves as both a distraction from the legal proceedings and an attempt to tarnish Harry’s reputation. This tactic not only shields powerful media entities from accountability but also perpetuates unethical practices at the expense of truth and justice.
But Why Does the Media Vilify Meghan and Fuels a Cycle of Hate?
The increasing presence of British royalist journalists in high-profile American media positions (combined with the right-wing media and political class) has intensified biased coverage of Harry and Meghan, particularly Meghan. These journalists, often linked to UK tabloids with a history of harsh royal reporting, now play a role in shaping the American narrative, amplifying unsubstantiated claims that tarnish the Sussexes’ reputation.
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Sara Nathan, now editor-at-large at the New York Post, plays a key role in shaping negative coverage of Meghan Markle in American media. Nathan’s career began at Rupert Murdoch’s The Sun, where she launched its TV Biz column in 2003 and served as editor until 2009. She then moved to the Daily Mail as showbusiness editor and later became MailOnline’s U.S. showbusiness editor-at-large in 2012. After a stint at People as executive editor, she joined the New York Post in 2018. With this background in British tabloids known for targeting Meghan, Nathan’s coverage reflects the same biased narratives. Her influence has brought the smear campaign against Meghan to U.S. media, echoing the familiar tactics of British tabloid culture and raising questions about how these biases shape public perception globally.
Challenging Biased Narratives and Supporting Positive Change
We urge our readers to carefully examine the stories they see in the media and question the narratives being promoted. It’s important to hold media outlets accountable for spreading false information and harmful stereotypes. By doing this, we can create a fairer and more honest media.
The treatment of Harry and Meghan highlights bigger problems, such as bias and the protection of powerful interests. Their work in charity, advocacy, and speaking the truth deserves support, not constant attacks. At Feminegra, we are a team of crowdfunded journalists committed to sharing stories the mainstream media ignores. Help us amplify the voices of women like Meghan Markle and stand up against unfair narratives.
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