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

PEOPLE's senior royals editor Erin Hill, who interviewed the Duchess of Sussex for the March 17 issue's cover story, gives some behind-the-scenes details about their royally exciting conversation

Meghan Markle PEOPLE cover; Charlotte Triggs
PEOPLE's March 17 issue cover with Meghan Markle; PEOPLE Editor-in-Chief Charlotte Triggs. Photo:

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 Diana was on more PEOPLE covers than any other star ever. And our team has traveled the world covering the work of the royal family, from Belgium to South Africa, Vancouver to Australia.

But this week’s cover story is a rarity: an intimate sitdown interview with Meghan, 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 about her 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. 

With Love, Meghan. (L to R) Harry, Duke of Sussex, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex in episode 108 of With Love, Meghan.
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,” says Erin Hill, PEOPLE’s senior royals editor, who interviewed Meghan for this cover.

“With Archie and Lilibet soon 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 launched The Tig in 2014. A decade later, she has married her 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, CA June 2024
Meghan Markle at home in Montecito, California.

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 on Princess Lilibet's birth in 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.

erin hill; meghan markle prince harry and kids
(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!

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