From Our Editor-in-Chief: Behind PEOPLE's Revealing Interview and Cover Story with Meghan Markle

Mar. 15, 2025

Jake Rosenberg/Courtesy Netflix; MASATO ONODA

You guys, this is kind of a big deal. So all of you who know the brand know PEOPLE has had a long tradition of covering the royals.Princess Dianawas on more PEOPLE covers than any other starever. And our team has traveled the world covering the work of the royal family, from Belgium toSouth Africa,Vancouverto Australia.But this week’scover storyis a rarity: an intimate sitdown interview withMeghan, the Duchess of Sussex, in which she is open about her marriage (“It feels like we’re in the honeymoon phase again,” she said), relaxed when talking abouther kids Archie and Lilibet— the first royal grandchildren to be raised in America — and humble when discussing her own challenges at getting her personal brand up and running in the glare of a harsh spotlight.Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.Courtesy of Netflix“Meghan is at a point where she’s finally reclaiming parts of herself that have often taken a backseat to motherhood,” saysErin Hill, PEOPLE’s senior royals editor, who interviewed Meghan for this cover.“WithArchieandLilibetsoon turning six and four, she’s ready to step into a new chapter — one that brings back the side of her that fans first fell in love with when she launchedThe Tigin 2014. A decade later, she has marriedher prince, is raising two children in a home that, as one crew member from her Netflix show described, feels like a ‘slice of paradise,’ and is on the brink of launching her new lifestyle brand. And now? She’s just happy.“Meghan Markle at home in Montecito, California.Jake Rosenberg/Courtesy NetflixThere was no better journalist to send in for this interview than Erin. With children about the same age, she and Meghan got along swimmingly — “Fun fact: I wrote the cover story onPrincess Lilibet’s birthin June 2021, two weeks before my daughter was born,” Erin says — and the results are right there on the page, in a level of intimate detail we’ve never seen from the duchess.(L-R) Erin Hill and her kids; Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with Princess Lilibet and Prince Archie.Courtesy Erin Hill; Archewell”We connected over what it’s like to make ‘mom friends’ at this stage in our lives, talked about the routine of toddler life, 5:30 p.m. family dinners,” Erin says. “As we wrapped up, she smiled and said, ‘Take good care of those babies! If you need more tips for lunchboxes, you know who to go to.’ ”I hope you enjoy this rare glimpse into the life of a royal living right here in America.Thanks for reading!

You guys, this is kind of a big deal. So all of you who know the brand know PEOPLE has had a long tradition of covering the royals.Princess Dianawas on more PEOPLE covers than any other starever. And our team has traveled the world covering the work of the royal family, from Belgium toSouth Africa,Vancouverto Australia.

But this week’scover storyis a rarity: an intimate sitdown interview withMeghan, the Duchess of Sussex, in which she is open about her marriage (“It feels like we’re in the honeymoon phase again,” she said), relaxed when talking abouther kids Archie and Lilibet— the first royal grandchildren to be raised in America — and humble when discussing her own challenges at getting her personal brand up and running in the glare of a harsh spotlight.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.Courtesy of Netflix

Courtesy of Netflix

“Meghan is at a point where she’s finally reclaiming parts of herself that have often taken a backseat to motherhood,” saysErin Hill, PEOPLE’s senior royals editor, who interviewed Meghan for this cover.

“WithArchieandLilibetsoon turning six and four, she’s ready to step into a new chapter — one that brings back the side of her that fans first fell in love with when she launchedThe Tigin 2014. A decade later, she has marriedher prince, is raising two children in a home that, as one crew member from her Netflix show described, feels like a ‘slice of paradise,’ and is on the brink of launching her new lifestyle brand. And now? She’s just happy.”

Meghan Markle at home in Montecito, California.Jake Rosenberg/Courtesy Netflix

Jake Rosenberg/Courtesy Netflix

There was no better journalist to send in for this interview than Erin. With children about the same age, she and Meghan got along swimmingly — “Fun fact: I wrote the cover story onPrincess Lilibet’s birthin June 2021, two weeks before my daughter was born,” Erin says — and the results are right there on the page, in a level of intimate detail we’ve never seen from the duchess.

(L-R) Erin Hill and her kids; Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with Princess Lilibet and Prince Archie.Courtesy Erin Hill; Archewell

Courtesy Erin Hill; Archewell

”We connected over what it’s like to make ‘mom friends’ at this stage in our lives, talked about the routine of toddler life, 5:30 p.m. family dinners,” Erin says. “As we wrapped up, she smiled and said, ‘Take good care of those babies! If you need more tips for lunchboxes, you know who to go to.’ ”

I hope you enjoy this rare glimpse into the life of a royal living right here in America.

Thanks for reading!

source: people.com