Meghan Markle & Prince Harry Appear on First Magazine Cover as a Couple for ‘Time’ 100 List

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have had an eventful year so far, but it seems this is only the beginning. The former royal couple has made the Time 100 Most Influential People list and broke a royal tradition to celebrate.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry had much to celebrate this week. Prince Harry celebrated his 37th birthday on September 15, and Time Magazine listed the couple as two of the 100 Most Influential People of 2021.

Although the couple has appeared on the list before, the former royals made history this time around. Their cover image for this Time Magazine issue marks the first time they appear as a couple on a magazine cover.

Meghan and Prince Harry have been the black sheep of the British aristocracy since they started dating. However, the couple has been able to make numerous groundbreaking strides, despite their family challenges.

Last year, the couple created the Archewell Foundation, a nonprofit organization from which they execute their humanitarian efforts. The organization was founded during a turbulent time for the couple who recently stepped down as royals.

Nonetheless, the Archewell Foundation has produced fantastic results, despite its founders’ personal battles. Currently, the foundation is working with the World Central Kitchen charity group to build community relief centers.

While many have been keeping their eyes on the controversy surrounding the couple, Time Magazine has been watching their philanthropic efforts instead. Consequently, the magazine honors them in their 100 Most Influential People list this year.

Meghan and Harry first received the title in 2018; however, their inclusion in this year’s list marks a first for the couple. The pair posed together for the magazine’s cover photo for the first time, breaking royal family traditions.

Photographer Pari Dukovic captures the couple standing in a garden for the record-breaking cover. Prince Harry stands slightly behind Meghan wearing a fashionable black outfit, and Meghan marvels in a white ensemble.

Although many royal family members have appeared on publication covers, shots of royal couples have not been a norm for these cases. Thankfully, this cover shoot is not the most scandalous thing the duo has had to deal with.

Additionally, the words written about Meghan and Harry demonstrate how the pair is stronger together. World Central Kitchen founder José Andrés praises the couple in his write up for the magazine:

“​​In a world where everyone has an opinion about people they don’t know, the duke and duchess have compassion for the people they don’t know."

Other stars honored with profiles in the Time 100 issue include Britney Spears, President Joe Biden, and Lil Nas X. Additional cover stars include Kate Winslet, Simone Biles, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Cathy Park Hong, and Jensen Huang.