Meghan Markle and Brooklyn Beckham were reportedly excluded from the 2024 Met Gala [1, 2, 3].
The exclusion of high-profile figures from the fashion industry's most exclusive event suggests a shift in how the gala's leadership manages celebrity relationships and political alliances.
Reports indicate that the absences were the result of a loyalty test conducted by Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour [1, 2]. Wintour is said to favor individuals who maintain strong ties to the British royal family, specifically King Charles and Queen Camilla [1, 2].
Louise Roberts, speaking to Sky News Australia, said, "She prizes loyalty above everything else."
Roberts said that Wintour's closeness to the British monarchy makes certain guests unlikely to be invited. "Clearly, she’s very close to the King and Queen Camila, so therefore Meghan and Harry are non‑starters," Roberts said.
While the exclusion of Brooklyn Beckham was also noted, much of the focus remained on the rift between the Sussexes and the royal establishment [1, 2]. Despite the reports of being iced out, some sources suggest that Markle remained hopeful about her status. A narrator for AOL said, "Meghan is still convinced her invite is coming" [3].
The Met Gala serves as a primary intersection of fashion and power, where invitations are often viewed as markers of social and professional standing. The reported exclusion of the Sussexes highlights the ongoing tension between the couple and the traditional structures of the British monarchy, tensions that appear to extend into the American fashion elite.
“"She prizes loyalty above everything else."”
The reported exclusion of Meghan Markle and Brooklyn Beckham suggests that the Met Gala's guest list is used as a tool for social signaling. By aligning the invitation list with the preferences of the British royal family, the event's organizers reinforce a specific hierarchy of loyalty and status that transcends the fashion industry.
