In just a month’s time, London is set to host its inaugural British Met Gala, but it seems that this fashion extravaganza is surrounded by an unexpected silence.
The British version of the renowned Met Gala is scheduled to take place next month, with a guest list that includes some of the biggest names in the fashion and celebrity world.
Among the notable attendees are iconic figures such as Kate Moss, Cara Delevingne, and Princess Eugenie.
However, one person who won’t be making an appearance is Meghan Markle.
Vogue boss Anna Wintour, who considers New York’s annual Met Gala her baby and personally approves the theme and guest list, is expected to attend the Vogue World event at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden on September 14th.
Wintour is hoping that the London event will be just as attention-grabbing as its New York counterpart.
According to a source, celebrities from all over the world will be attending, and their outfits are expected to be truly remarkable.
The UK event, overseen by BAFTA-winning film director Stephen Daldry, aims to celebrate the British performing arts.
It will feature a performance by rapper Stormzy, launch London Fashion Week, and raise millions for organizations including the National Theatre, the Royal Opera House, and the Royal Ballet.
So why won’t Meghan Markle be part of this glamorous affair?
Rumors have been swirling that the Duchess of Sussex won’t be getting a Vogue cover or an invite to the Met Gala anytime soon.
Speaking to the Express, Kinsey Schofield discussed Meghan’s absence from the fashion extravaganza, suggesting that Anna Wintour may have intentionally left her off the guest list.
Schofield explained that Wintour has a great admiration for the monarchy and might have wanted to avoid stealing attention from King Charles’ coronation.
“The Sussex brand has turned quite toxic in the States for a number of reasons,” Schofield said.
“The Met is considered a secretive and outrageous event for the elite, so secretive that celebrities typically have to sneak selfies in the bathroom.
Discretion is part of its charm.
Not only would all eyes be on Harry and Meghan, taking attention away from the usual suspects, but I think celebrities fear that conversations had with the couple will be repeated.
The Sussexes also tend to dwell on the negative, which hasn’t made a great impression on everyone.”
Schofield went on to discuss Wintour’s love for the monarchy, suggesting that she wanted to ensure the event wouldn’t distract attention from the crowning ceremony of Britain’s new monarch.
“Anna Wintour has always had great admiration for Queen Elizabeth II and the monarchy,” Schofield continued.
“I don’t think Vogue’s Queen would want to taint King Charles’ coronation celebration with such a disruptive appearance.”
It seems that Harry and Meghan’s attempts to reclaim their narrative may not go as planned.
In a recent interview, public relations expert Edward Coram James explained that the couple seems to struggle with the conflict of wanting a private life while also seeking attention.
“Often when the narrative doesn’t go the way that the principal wants, they try to wrestle control of the narrative and forcefully demand the perspective, storyline, or exposure that they want,” Coram James said.
“But when the narrative is that you’re an attention seeker, there’s literally no way of doing this without feeding into and giving credibility to the narrative that you’re trying to combat.”
Actions speak louder than words, and if Harry and Meghan truly want to convince the world that they’re not attention seekers, the best approach would be to lay low for an extended period of time.
Continuing with high-profile publicity campaigns only reinforces the perception they are trying to change.
In conclusion, it seems that Meghan Markle’s absence from the British Met Gala is not a surprise.
Anna Wintour’s admiration for the monarchy and desire to avoid overshadowing King Charles’ coronation likely played a role in the decision.