The Met Gala is fashion’s most exclusive event, a night where style icons flaunt their most daring looks while the world watches in awe.
However, for Meghan Markle, it appears she will once again be missing from the guest list—unsurprisingly to many. The theme for next year’s Met Gala, focused on “super fine tailoring and Black style,” seems tailor-made for Meghan given her history and outspoken views on racial issues. Yet, despite this, she remains far from the spotlight. If there’s one thing Anna Wintour is known for, it’s maintaining an iron grip on her guest list—firmly deciding who’s in and who’s out. And Meghan? She’s way out. It’s not for lack of trying, though.
Meghan, an American-born duchess, has brought significant attention to issues like racism within the British monarchy, which might suggest she’d be an honorary guest. However, it seems Wintour doesn’t share that sentiment. One can only imagine Meghan’s frustration, thinking, "Why am I not invited? I’m practically royalty!" Cue an eye roll from Wintour, who remains unimpressed by Meghan's royal status and isn’t easily swayed by social standing, especially when it comes wrapped in controversial fashion choices.
Meghan’s fashion sense has been a topic of debate, with many designers likely distancing themselves as quickly as they could after her departure from the royal family. It’s not just her style that keeps her off the Met Gala’s coveted list, though. Wintour, being British herself, may sympathize more with the Royal Family, especially after Meghan’s highly publicized exit from her duchess role. Meghan may have strong allies in celebrities like Oprah, Gayle King, and Tyler Perry, but those names don’t carry the same influence in the fashion world as Wintour or the likes of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
The Met Gala, after all, is a fundraising event, and Meghan may not even be able to afford the staggering $75,000 price tag for a ticket if recent reports of financial strain are to be believed. Rumor has it that she struggled to secure even a $2,000 charity ticket, which raises doubts about her ability to attend such high-profile events. Without a golden ticket or the means to gatecrash the event, it’s safe to assume Meghan won’t be attending this year’s fashion parade either.
Anna Wintour has made her stance on Meghan crystal clear: anyone daring to bring her as a plus-one risks being banished from the inner circle of fashion royalty. Wintour’s fondness for the late Queen Elizabeth II further complicates Meghan’s situation, as the Duchess of Sussex’s image doesn’t quite align with Wintour’s vision of royal elegance. In fact, Wintour’s ultimate triumph would be securing the attendance of Prince William and Princess Kate, not Meghan and her list of demands.
One can only imagine the chaos that would ensue if Meghan did manage to secure a last-minute invite. It’s easy to picture her sending Wintour a lengthy email filled with requests—perhaps for a private VIP section, a speech, or even her own personalized red carpet. Such demands would likely see her escorted out by security faster than a Hollywood divorce announcement hits TMZ.
In the end, it seems unlikely that Meghan will ever grace the Met Gala’s red carpet. Wintour’s empire would certainly not crumble if Meghan appeared, but it’s clear that the Duchess won’t be strutting alongside fashion’s elite anytime soon. For now, Meghan remains on the outside, perhaps reflecting on the bridges she’s burned, wondering what might have been had she navigated her role in the Royal Family differently.
