Edward Enninful, outgoing editor-in-chief of British Vogue and a friend of Meghan Markle, has claimed the top spot on the Powerlist, a prestigious ranking honoring influential black figures across various fields. This recognition evaluates individuals based on their sustained impact in bringing about positive change.
Dean Forbes, a partner at private equity firm Court and Capital, secured the second spot, followed by Fu Chief Financial Officer at the Bank of England in third place. Among the top 100 on the Powerlist, Bristol's Mayor, Marvin Rees, also earned recognition. The list featured notable personalities like social media entrepreneur Patricia Bright and comedian Mo Gilligan.
However, as the Powerlist Black Excellence Awards for 2024 approach, it remains uncertain whether Meghan Markle will receive an invitation. The friendship between Meghan and Edward has encountered challenges, particularly during their collaboration on the September 2019 issue of British Vogue. Despite initial closeness, conflicts arose during the creation and publication of the issue, as documented in Tom Bower's book, "The Exposé."
According to the book, working with Meghan Markle proved challenging for Edward Enninful and his team, with clashes over content and publication schedules. Meghan's suggestions were reportedly perceived as shallow and confusing by the Vogue staff. A significant dispute emerged when Meghan requested a change to the publication schedule, publishing in the US first and the UK second, a request Enninful rejected, straining their relationship.
The conflict was described as revolving around control, and Meghan faced criticism in the UK media upon the issue's publication. Piers Morgan criticized her for self-promotion, while other journalists voiced concerns. Edward Enninful initially attributed some of the backlash to racism but later clarified that criticism stemmed from a misunderstanding of royal rules as well.
Despite the strain, Enninful has become a global ambassador for the Prince's Trust, a charity founded by Prince Charles. The trust has significantly impacted disadvantaged youth, extending its influence beyond the UK to other Commonwealth countries.
