Meghan Markle is ‘adrift on reality’ claims Vanity Fair’s ex-editor over baffling complaint Duchess made about her feature as magazine’s 2017 cover

Meghan Markle is a person ‘adrift on facts and reality’, the former editor of Vanity Fair, who was also close to Princess Diana, claimed today.

Graydon Carter, 75, who ran the society bible for 25 years, has claimed that the Duchess of Sussex believed she became his cover star because of her ‘charity work and philanthropy’ – not because she was dating Prince Harry.

‘This woman is slightly adrift on the facts and reality’, Mr Carter said. 

He has admitted he had ‘no idea’ who Meghan was when she became engaged to the fifth in line to the throne. 

Meghan was the cover star of one of Mr Carter’s final editions as editor of Vanity Fair, in 2017, which was entitled: ‘She’s just wild about Harry’. 

But when the reporter asked about her future husband she apparently declared: ‘Excuse me, is this going to all be about Prince Harry? Because I thought we were going to be talking about my charities and my philanthropy’.

The Canadian journalist, a confidante of Princess of Diana, also claimed that Harry’s mother ‘would feel great sorrow’ that her youngest son is estranged from his older brother and father, suggesting Meghan is to blame for the wedge between them. 

‘Anytime someone comes between siblings that’s a disaster, horrible for a family’, he said.

He has given a wide-ranging interview with the New York Post in the US, where he dished the dirt on on Tom Cruise, Harvey Weinstein, the Oscars and the Duchess of Sussex.

Describing how she became a cover star, Page Six said: ‘Jane Sarkin, who booked our covers, came in and said: “We should do a cover on Meghan Markle”.

‘I said, “I have no idea who that is”.

‘She said: “She’s on Suits”.

‘I said: “I have no idea what that is, why should we do a story on her?” So she said: “Because she’s going to marry Prince Harry”.’

He then laughed as he recalled how Meghan then challenged on of his reporters when she asked about her now husband. 

Graydon claimed the then actress said: ‘Excuse me, Is this going to all be about Prince Harry? Because I thought we were going to be talking about my charities and my philanthropy’.

According to Page Six Mr Carter then raised his eyebrows and said: ‘This woman is slightly adrift on the facts and reality’.

The journalist, who enjoyed a good relationship with Harry’s mother, said she would be very sad to see how Harry has ended up estranged from King Charles and Prince William.

Graydon was the co-host of the 1994 party where Princess Diana wore her famous ‘revenge dress’ in retaliation to the TV admission that her husband, Prince Charles, had an affair with Camilla Parker-Bowles. 

Speaking about how she would view Harry’s isolation in California, he said: ‘I would think she would feel great sorrow for her son to have been pulled away from his family like this, especially his brother but also his father’.

It is not the first time Mr Carter has criticised Meghan. 

In 2023 he predicted that her marriage to Prince Harry will last ‘years rather than decades.’ 

He said he believes the Duchess of Sussex, who wed the Duke in 2018, ‘has run rings around poor Harry to get money, notoriety and a title.’

Since their royal nuptials in St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in 2018, the Sussexes have stepped back from their duties in the royal family, moved to California, and had two children.

He said: ‘I would measure the duration of the marriage in years rather than decades.

‘I think she has run rings around poor Harry and gotten what she wanted: notoriety, money, and a title. His usefulness to her diminishes daily.’ 

Carter said that he did not think Markle would make an acting come back – but did say: ‘If there is a Real Housewives of Montecito show in the works, she’d be a shoo-in.’

There also appears to be a growing rivalry with a near neighbour: Gwyneth Paltrow.

Yesterday, Meghan fired back at Gwyneth in their so-called breakfast war as she unveiled her ‘re-invented banana split’ with no motivational message to soften the blow. 

Over the weekend fans went wild with speculation after Ms Paltrow, 52, posted an Instagram video of herself making breakfast in which she appeared to be subtly put the Duchess of Sussex, 43, in her place.

The post came hot on the heels of the Duchess’s latest attempt at getting back on TV with her Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, which was met with negative reviews when it started streaming on Netflix last month.

Some viewers suggested Ms Paltrow’s laid back look, crumpled pyjamas and simple, silent cooking demonstration were chosen to contrast with Meghan’s flawless make-up, designer clothes and rented kitchen. Other clues include the music playing behind Ms Paltrow’s video – This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) by Natalie Cole – which was used in promos by Meghan.

The Duchess appeared to retaliate when she posted two videos to her Instagram story with her ‘bestie’ Kelly McKee Zajfen.

Meghan stood behind the camera giggling as Ms Zajfen carefully placed blueberries, raspberries and granola on top of a yogurt and jam covered banana.

The Duchess made sure to tag her own preserve brand As Ever with a caption reading: ‘When one of your besties reinvents a banana split for breakfast.’

In the next clip, Meghan and her pal cheers their forks before trying the re-imagined banana split, both letting out an ‘Mm!’ as Ms Zajfen said it tasted ‘so good’.

She also posted another video, taken by Prince Harry, a few hours later showing a flock of birds flying across the sky in a V-formation with a gushing caption which read: ‘Flying into the week with my family. (Thanks H for capturing this!)’.

It’s unclear whether or not Meghan’s posts were a retaliation but fans are convinced Ms Paltrow was throwing ‘shade’ at her – slang which means to make fun of someone in an underhanded way.

After seeings Meghan’s banana split video, one person on X, formerly Twitter, wrote: ‘Omg! Meghan & Kelly try to throw shade back at Gwyneth Paltrow! This is a game they are going to lose.’

Fans also made posts after Ms Paltrows video, with one writing on X: ”Gwyneth Paltrow continues to throw shade & I’m here for it! No make-up in her actual kitchen!’

Another said:  ‘Even the music… that’s Natalie Cole ‘this will be (an EVER lasting love)’!!!!!’

A third posted: ‘Lol isn’t it this the song they keep using in the Meghan Markle promo?’

‘And being as relatable as she can be, in her pjs, hair not styled, no make-up sipping coffee. No one praising her. Just her phone filming. Simple and easy.’

One fan added: ‘Go Gwyneth… a real dog in her own real kitchen on her own real property.’

Meghan did not film her series – which has been renewed for a second season – at the home in Montecito, California she shares with Prince Harry and their children, instead hiring a £6.2million farmhouse.

Other comments highlighted Ms Paltrow’s monogrammed mug, speculating it could be a reference to Meghan’s monogram as Duchess of Sussex. One said: ‘Notice the lettering on the cup?!!’

Last week, Ms Paltrow and fitness guru Tracy Anderson were accused of mocking Meghan. Making a recipe in a video on Goop’s Instagram page, Ms Anderson said: ‘I’m Tracy Anderson, and welcome to my actual kitchen’ – pausing for effect.

She later insisted: ‘Absolutely no shade intended!’ A day earlier, Ms Paltrow said Meghan seemed ‘lovely’, adding: ‘Maybe I’ll try to get through their security detail and bring them a pie.’