Meghan Markle’s latest magazine appearance was meant to feel bold and stripped back. Instead, it set off a wave of criticism online.

The 44-year-old Duchess of Sussex appeared as the cover star of Harper’s Bazaar US for the December 2025/January 2026 Art Issue, revealed on November 20. The shoot presented her with no visible makeup, a minimalist black-and-white palette, and close-up portraits meant to highlight her natural features.

But within minutes of the cover’s release, social media lit up—and not kindly.
Several users mocked her bare-faced look, questioned the creative direction, and even suggested the magazine intentionally made her appear unflattering. One person wrote, “Someone at the magazine definitely hates her,” while another commented, “She really thinks she’s the ‘it girl,’ but these photos say otherwise.”

The criticism centered mostly on the extreme close-ups and Meghan’s expression, with some viewers claiming the angles accentuated her features in an uncomfortable way. A number of commenters even joked that she looked like she was “about to sneeze.”

Behind the images, the issue included an in-depth interview with writer Kaitlyn Greenidge, covering Meghan’s life with Prince Harry, the growth of her lifestyle brand As Ever, and the public challenges she has faced since her engagement in 2017.
Meghan spoke candidly about how being thrust into global scrutiny forced her to create stronger “boundaries.”
“You find different ways to protect yourself… You learn not to do it again,” she said, reflecting on past missteps and controversies.