Anna Wintour Reportedly ‘Hates’ Meghan Markle as Ex-Royal Said to Be ‘Spiraling’ Over Burned Relationships
Why It Matters
Celebrity influence and personal branding carry significant commercial weight in New York’s fashion and media industries. Reports of a high-profile falling out between former Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, raise questions about the ex-royal’s standing among the elite social and professional circles that have long shaped her public image.
What Happened
According to a report published May 2, 2026, by News.com.au and drawing on sourcing from the Daily Mail, an insider has claimed that the relationship between Anna Wintour and Meghan Markle has deteriorated to the point of “hatred.” The source alleged the rift began in 2019 when Markle chose to collaborate with then-British Vogue editor Edward Enninful on a “Forces for Change” issue of the magazine rather than work with Wintour’s American Vogue.
“Meghan pledged her allegiance to Enninful which p—ed off Anna,” the source told the Daily Mail, adding, “Anna hates her. Meghan doesn’t want to pay, and never returns things.” The insider further alleged that Wintour, a Dame and well-known admirer of the British Royal Family, took strong exception to the manner in which the Sussexes departed from royal duties.
The same insider claimed Markle has been “spiraling” as her and Prince Harry’s relationships with prominent figures continue to fray. “They have truly lost the plot. I hear she’s spiraling badly because she knows nothing is working,” the source said, adding that reports of Markle’s lifestyle brand, As Ever, selling out its products may no longer reflect reality.
By the Numbers
2019 — The year the alleged rift between Wintour and Markle reportedly began, tied to the British Vogue collaboration with Edward Enninful.
1 — The number of lifestyle brands at the center of commercial claims disputed by the insider, identified as Markle’s “As Ever” label.
April 16, 2026 — The date Markle was photographed publicly during the Sussexes’ recent visit to Australia, which drew widespread media coverage.
Multiple designers — Markle publicly addressed credit attribution for Australian designers worn during the couple’s trip, speaking to Women’s Weekly about the importance of accurate fashion crediting.
Zoom Out
The reported social and professional isolation of the Sussexes fits a broader pattern that has developed since the couple’s 2020 departure from royal duties. The pair relocated to California and have pursued independent media and commercial ventures with mixed results, including a high-profile Netflix deal and several public initiatives that critics have said failed to gain lasting traction.
Wintour’s reported loyalties reflect a long-standing cultural reality in elite media circles: institutional deference to the British monarchy carries significant social currency among certain New York and London fashion power brokers. The Sussexes’ very public criticism of the Royal Family, documented in their Netflix series and Prince Harry’s memoir, drew backlash from those quarters. For context on how public figures navigate brand perception and media relationships, see our coverage of the Starbucks CEO’s defense of premium pricing and the public backlash it generated.
The Sussexes’ recent trip to Australia appeared designed, at least in part, to generate positive press. Markle praised the country effusively in her Women’s Weekly interview, stating, “My husband and I have such an affinity for Australia,” and adding, “The only thing better than Australia are Australians.” Whether the goodwill generated abroad translates into improved standing at home — particularly within New York and Los Angeles media circles — remains to be seen. Questions about trust and institutional credibility have also recently surfaced in other high-profile contexts, including federal scrutiny of whether Minnesota officials ignored a massive fraud scheme.
What’s Next
Neither Wintour nor Markle’s representatives have publicly responded to the claims reported by the Daily Mail and amplified by News.com.au. Observers will be watching whether Markle’s As Ever brand pursues new commercial partnerships to counter the insider’s claims about declining sales momentum. The Sussexes have not announced any major upcoming public engagements or media projects as of the date of this report.