As I’m sure everyone has heard by now, the Duchess of Sussex guest-edited the September issue of British Vogue. She does not appear on the cover, but her fingerprints and words appear throughout the issue, for better or for worse. The “worse” being her own Insta-influencer writing style and the “best” being everything else, really – from what else we’ve seen of the magazine, Meghan is highlighting a wide variety of issues, and she also used the platform to announce her capsule collection to benefit her patronage, Smart Works. As it turns out, she also used her platform to publish a funny little poem by Matt Haig. The poem is “A Note from the Beach” and he published a screenshot of the Vogue issue on his IG:
In case you can’t see it, Meghan prefaces the poem with this: “A personal favourite and the best reminder during the summer season…or any season, as a matter of fact.” The poem is: “Hello. I am the beach. I am created by waves and currents. I was made of eroded rocks. I exist next to the sea. I have been around for millions of years. I was around at the dawn of life itself. And I have to tell you something. I don’t care about your bod. I am a beach. I literally don’t give a f—.” Someone gave Haig advanced warning that he was about to blow up, Markle-style, and he also posted this message to his IG:
Hey, HRH the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle is guest editor of the brand new issue of Vogue. She apparently Is a fan of Notes on a Nervous Planet and has included the whole of the ‘A Note From The Beach’ chapter in the magazine. This is the first few lines. She calls it her ‘favourite poem.’ A surreal honour. Glad she digs my stupid humour. The edition also includes her heroes, such as Greta Thunberg, Jameela Jamil and Michelle Obama.
This whole year feels like an impossible dream to be honest. Probably means I’m about to have a piano land on my head.
He seems like a cool guy. Can you even imagine what it would be like to be a POET (in this economy!) and have your work noticed and then promoted by the Duchess of Sussex? The Meghan Effect but make it poetry.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Backgrid, Vogue and Instagram.
I’m here just for the title. #wellplayed
Haig is the writer of the much loved book called The Truth Pixie. Done in that sort of poetic/prose hybrid style that’s been popular in the last five years or so. His work is directly aimed at children, but adults have been charmed by it as well. Think of him as a John Green type, but more for mental health (he tried to commit suicide about 20 years ago but stopped).
He wasn’t a suffering writer (in terms of popularity and sales) but this exposure will only bring him more bank, I’m sure.
His work isn’t aimed at children….? And he’s hugely successful, one of the best selling writers in the UK
LOL, the Brits are going to loose it over the f-word!!!
I doubt it, ‘This Be The Verse’ by Philip Larkin was voted one of Britain’s favourite poems. Its much better than this Matt Haig one and has more fucks. The theme also works for Meghan, she should’ve picked that instead.
If only she had consulted with a random internet stranger before selecting her favorite poem.
Seriously, ease off. She’s allowed to have a favorite poem regardless of her “brand”.
oh to be so humourless. anyone who had read it would know it was “/s” or whatever you have to write to flag something up to people who are so boringly literal.
This person is not being sarcastic. She often generalises about British people and our (fictional) reaction to Meghan.
When I read the poem and saw the word fcuk, personally I though it served two purposes, supporting nature and telling the rabid dogs how she feels.
The issue is out today, and I hope the press can move on. People are fed up with the weekly negative coverage. Every artcle and page has already been discussed. There is not much more to say.
How do you all think this will turn out for Meghan? I’m not a fan of the Royal Family, and I believe someone in the Firm has given the press permission to tear down the Sussexes. I pray it all works out for her. I don’t know how she deals with the trolling and negativity.
I absolutely someone in the firm has given the press permission to tear them down. Or at least, they realize that tearing down Meghan (and Harry) means there is less focus on the Cambridges, Andrew, etc., so they aren’t inclined to stop it.
and I do think the palace could stop it. If they don’t want to say anything officially, a few carefully staged photo ops or appearances could go a long way to shutting people up. Letting it slip that Harry and Meghan spent a long weekend at Balmoral, or a week at the Castle of Mey and had a “lovely time, great fun, everyone got along splendidly.” Something like that.
The problem with that is that we know they are in balmoral probably as we speak, and the royal distorted claim that the Sussexes are getting “reprimanded” by the Queen! The royals need to make a more active statement of support. The fact that someone will speak out to protect Kate if someone questions her skincare regime or her weave tracks but remain silent in the face of the continual pile on looks really bad. I want someone to call out the Cambridge’s next time Wills talks about online bullying. His voice is as laughable as Bebest from Mrs Trump.
Guess you miss the rumors that the Duchess is celebrating her birthday Sunday at Balmoral, and the leakers even let it slip that they were baking her a birthday cake.
@Lanne – that’s true. I don’t think BP is going to speak out though, but they should.
The smear campaign was bad enough 8 months ago, but it was one thing when it was nonsensical stuff like “she wanted to use air freshener in the church!!!!” and now I feel the tone has shifted yet again and the RRs aren’t even trying to hide their racism at this point. What’s the saying – the dog whistle has become a bullhorn? That’s how I feel about the RRs recently.
ETA and my first comment should say “I absolutely believe” lol
I spent last night reading old royal articles. The Palace most definitely could do more to protect Meghan. The are several stories of the Queen sending a message to the press to leave one of her family members alone. They protected Sophie during her scandals, they are still protecting Andrew, and we see how often the Cambridges get special treatment since Meghan married into the family.
I wish Harry and Meghan would say something. I hate that they have been vilified for so long, and nothing is being done to stop the abuse.
@Peg – nope, I didn’t. But I guess you missed the discussion last week about how the Queen was going to take advantage of the visit to “pull Meghan aside” and “reprimand” her, which is what Lanne is talking about.
I think they’re pressed because they see the money that is being missed out on. Meghan and Harry have cut ties and I’m sure they’re losing so much money by not having access. They gave the game away when they attacked her for not editing one of their newspapers. They basically wanted to sabotage but all they did was elevate and give more publicity to Meghan and Vogue. I think this week showed many people’s true colors and the press as a whole have been embrassed publicly because of their pile on racist, xenophobic ridiculousness. I have a feeling that we will have public begging and pleads because the desperation is getting more and more palpable.
Who would think that one mixed race woman, would have so many middle age white men and women quaking in their boots.
Sarah Vine (dailyfail) who is married to the cocaine taking Minister, got dragged on Twitter, they posted her husband picture, not a pretty sight.
Think you are absolutely right, Britt. They are losing money because the Duke and Duchess will not be “handled.” That don’t have access to baby Archie or anything else, unless it’s something they want to share. Kudos to them!
From all accounts, the Queen and Charles are fond of Meghan. They’re the only ones in “The Firm” who count these days. The Firm went after Diana because she was conflicting with Charles. The Firm let Fergie out to dry because she *did* cause embarrassment, Phillip hated her and she had no ally high enough to save her. So I do not understand this theory, based on nothing, that the Firm (ie the Queen and Charles and their camps) is out to get Meghan. In fact they have an interest in supporting her because if she is the scheming grifter Meghan’s enemies claim, then that makes Harry look like a moron.
Might William not like her? Sure. But at this point he is outweighed by Grandmama and Papa.
And believe you me, all of these projects, including the Vogue are getting vetted. Meghan is not going rogue. She’s a smart lady who knows who butters her bread.
The UK has a free press. Most of the stuff that attacks Meghan are opinion pieces. There is little the Royal Family can do to stop them from getting published.
“The UK has a free press. Most of the stuff that attacks Meghan are opinion pieces. There is little the Royal Family can do to stop them from getting published.”
Absolutely incorrect and always has been. The Royal Family can and do keep the UK press quiet when they want to and have for centuries. This still continues.
The press also use their freedom to suppress stories about certain royals. Many reporters have admitted to burying stories.
Maria, they sure can squash. Remember when the sh!t came down with Pedo Andy and Epstein a few years ago (when the pics first surfaced). A couple of days later, the internet was literally scrubbed of any and all info about them. Mummy’s favorite can’t have any negative publicity! But now, the rock rolling down the hill is gathering steam from ALL over and she may not be able to do so again now.
I actually think that releasing so many press release about the Vogue edition was deliberate, so that DM and others could tear into it all. The result has been an avalanche of publicity in print, online and on TV and radio. Well played everyone involved in the Vogue edition….looking forward to hearing about the figures and the multiplier effect.
I think that the Sussexes will feel that enduring all the negativity will have been worth it.
@Melissa I can’t say it better than everyone here already did. The Palace ABSOLUTELY could do more to protect her, and for reasons I’ll never understand, have clearly chosen not to. Many of us have lost a lot of respect for the Queen and the family since the smear campaign has worn on with no effort from them to tamp it down.
Just last week they put out a statement about Kate’s alleged Botox use, but Meghan is left hung out to dry. It’s wrong.
This!!!!
Rooting for the success of this issue of British Vogue.
Let’s form a prayer circle around this edition for Meghan’s sake. 🙂 “They” would be so happy to see it fail. *looks up how to purchase the British edition from Stateside*
Yes, and l have bought my copy! As l was on the way to the shops, l was walking behind a young white English mum, l overheard her explaining to her young daughters the plan for the day: “We are first going to WHSmiths to buy two magazines”…Little girl: “ Which ones? Mummy: “ Well, one of them is a high fashion…..”…At that point l could no longer contain myself and l leapt in: “ You are going to buy Vogue!”. The Mum turned round and jokingly said: “Yes, we have to blame Meghan…but l hope it really sells lots of copies!”.
When l went to buy my copy l asked the cashier how the sales were going, and she said that she was surprised that so many people had bought Vogue this morning. I explained that Meghan was the guest editor as she had no idea about it, and she said: “Ah, that explains it “.
I’m happy for you, PrincessK, and hope everyone has better luck than I had this morning. I went to Barnes and Noble, but they didn’t have either the British September issue or the China one I wanted get for someone else. Had to ask an acquaintance in NYC to pick up both of them for me.
You can buy the Kindle edition of the September issue on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Vogue-UK/dp/B01MYXJQDW/ref=sr_1_1?crid=20SVW1WLNIEX3&keywords=british+vogue&qid=1564747086&s=digital-text&sprefix=Britis%2Caps%2C136&sr=1-1
Thanks, Islalund. Was up last night trying to figure out how to get a print copy here in the states. Will keep trying.
Thanks for letting us know. Just downloaded a copy to my iPad! Will sit back and read it when I get home. Im excited!
Well, poetry is subjective..I’m sure some people love it, some hate it and some won’t care. I looked up the whole poem to read and to me it’s laughably pretentious. But I love Gord Downie and people have said that about him so it’s a matter of taste. Would be interested to hear what someone with a more literary or creative writing or poetry background has to say.
@Redgrl – it’s a poem of its time and place, I think. It’s very Instagrammable. Drop it against a beach background, with words superimposed on an image of a rotound person, it would ‘fit’ so to speak. .
If you look at other instagram poets (e.g Rupi Kaur, Nyyiah Waheed, Tyler Knott Gregson) their stuff tends to be aborted prose/ inspirational quotes shoved into the frame work of a poem, so it looks as if each word is weighted and special (like poems should be) but it would have been better off as extended prose, or worked on it a bit more for the message to cut diamond sharp.
As someone who’s from a literary background myself, I find that the ideas in these insta -poetry can be overcooked or undercooked. That being said, as long as poetry can touch people, it shows that it’s still a viable means of expression, so I can’t be mad.
@duchess – thanks for the input!
I’m sure I would have been impressed with it when I was 15, but it’s pretty cringe. I’d expect to see it as a reader submission in one of the teen magazines, to be honest…
Hold on while I get my pearls to clutch them as I read that. 🙄
Re👏🏽Lease👏🏽The👏🏽Cor👏🏽Gis👏🏽
😂😂😂
“You’re out of bed,” said Isobel.
“Yes,” I said. To be human is to state the obvious. Repeatedly, over and over, until the end of time.
This is from one of my favorite books, The Humans, written by Matt Haig. It is a wonderful, zany look at human life from the perspective of an alien life form. It is a perfect, lovely, odd summer read for those of you looking. XO
I’m a fan of Meghan generally, but dear lord that is a terrible poem. Of all the wildly gifted, serious British or American contemporary poets she could’ve used her bully pulpit to draw attention to, she chooses this dreck? Ah well, poets are used to it.
It, plus her comment about it, is all so Goopy, isn’t it?
Uh huh. If she’s going to promote the arts, she’d do better to get some advisors to help her learn about the subject matter. Plenty of great contemporary poets in Britain that could help her make both artistic and publicly accessible choices. I’m sure Alice Oswald would give her a hand.
Yeah, it’s not good. Her favorite poem? Yikes.
It wasn’t supposed to be prize-winning, it was supposed to make a statement. Notes from a BEACH… who DGAF. Switch out two letters in beach and … well, methinks the Duchess is trolling the f*ck out of everyone. And I am here for it.
Agree. Meghan’s not trying to be ‘artsy’ or intellectual with this poem. Troll on, Duchess.
According to the author, it’s not a poem.
Some good news about the issue
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-royals-sussex-vogue/readers-line-up-for-copy-of-british-vogue-edited-by-uks-duchess-meghan-idUSKCN1US1HZ
…hi duchess mehan <3
In Eaton center today and went to indigo asking about the English vogue and the lady smiled and said EVERYONE has been asking for it while the other one sits on the shelf; and they won’t have it for a week. Criticize and nitpick what you want but that lady is a game changer.