From Lady Di to Meghan Markle: 10 iconic covers featuring royal family members
A journey through time
Every public appearance of the British royal family members generates a significant public reaction. And when they grace the covers of famous glossy magazines, the impact is even greater. For a long time, print media has been a way for the royals to control the pace and structure of their storytelling. So, it’s no surprise that whenever changes occur in the monarchy or the country as a whole, top magazines featuring members of the Windsor family immediately appear on store shelves.
The so-called «Meghan Markle effect» is a prime example. As soon as the Duchess of Sussex stepped away from her royal duties, she began appearing on magazine covers, eager to tell her truth about royal life behind the gates of Buckingham Palace. Let’s take a look back at some of the most iconic covers featuring British royal family members.
Princess Diana
Princess Diana, also known as the «Queen of People’s Hearts,» was a guiding star and an endless source of inspiration for millions of women worldwide. She had a kind heart, a sharp mind, and a generous soul. Diana also had a deep love for fashion and graced the cover of Vogue multiple times, with one of the most iconic issues being released in 1991.
It was then that Princess Diana debuted her signature short haircut, which was done right on set by hairstylist Sam McKnight. In his book, McKnight recalled: «We were told there would be a shoot with a celebrity, and we expected Margaret Thatcher to arrive. But then the doors opened, and in walked Princess Diana. She asked me what I would do with her hair, and I suggested cutting it short. Without hesitation, she agreed and suggested we do it right away. And that’s how the most famous haircut of the decade was born».
Queen Elizabeth II
Experts count approximately eight individual magazine covers featuring Her Majesty. However, royal fans particularly praised Vanity Fair’s issue featuring the Queen surrounded by her beloved corgis. The photograph, captured by the legendary Annie Leibovitz, was released in honor of the Queen’s 90th birthday.
Catherine, Princess of Wales (Kate Middleton)
The Vogue UK cover with a countryside aesthetic is arguably the most famous in Kate Middleton’s glossy magazine history. The image was taken by photographer Josh Olins. In most other cases, magazines used stock images instead of arranging special photoshoots. However, top-tier publications like Vogue always strive for exclusivity, and for good reason.
Prince William
Prince William appeared in a relaxed and casual style on the cover of Attitude magazine. The July 2016 issue, featuring the Duke of Cambridge, became one of the most popular editions of the magazine.
Queen Consort Camilla Parker-Bowles
In 2022, Camilla Parker-Bowles, the future Queen Consort and wife of the current King of the United Kingdom, appeared on the cover of Country Life – a magazine akin to Good Housekeeping. Interestingly, she consciously refused the services of professional photographers, setting only one condition for the magazine: the photoshoot would be conducted by her stepdaughter, Catherine, Princess of Wales. At Camilla’s request, Kate Middleton – who has long had a passion for photography – captured a series of portraits in the garden of Ray Mill House, Camilla’s home in Wiltshire.
King Charles III
In 2018, The Sunday Times celebrated Prince Charles’ 70th birthday in a special way – by placing him on the cover with his six-month-old grandson, Prince Louis. This photoshoot shattered many stereotypical perceptions of the monarch. For years, there had been rumors that Charles spent little time with his grandchildren, as he was too preoccupied with royal duties. However, the images taken by photographer Chris Jackson proved just how far these assumptions were from reality.
Prince Harry
In May 2011, Prince Harry posed for photographer David Bailey for the cover of British GQ. All proceeds from the magazine sales were donated to the Walking with the Wounded charity, which supports injured veterans.
Meghan Markle
Perhaps the most controversial magazine cover featuring Meghan Markle was her 2017 Vanity Fair issue. At the time, she was still Prince Harry’s girlfriend, and she was furious after the magazine’s release. In particular, she was outraged by the cover’s headline, which read: «She’s Just Wild About Harry».
The issue was that Prince Harry’s team had only agreed to the cover under the condition that the article would focus solely on Meghan’s charitable work. Discussions about her relationship with the royal family, racism, and politics were supposed to be off-limits.
Another notable magazine cover for Meghan Markle was Variety. She appeared on the front page of the American weekly publication after stepping down from her royal duties. Photographer Ramona Rosales captured the Duchess in an Armani top and trousers, accompanied by the headline: «The Meghan Moment».
Princess Anne
The only daughter of the late Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Anne, appeared on the cover of Country Life in July 2020. The front page, dedicated to her 70th birthday, featured images of the Princess at various stages of her life.
