Meghan Markle has had a stint as a Vogue guest editor, but some critics say it goes beyond her role as a member of Britain’s royal family. There is an unspoken rule that the royals should refrain from making political statements, but the Duchess of Sussex may just have made one.

Meghan Markle has guest-edited the September issue of British Vogue, putting the spotlight on a number of celebrities, politicians and campaigners associated with left-wing views.

She has been accused of wading into politics, despite her royal position. “Royals have not only got to keep out of politics but they have got to be seen to keep out of politics.” Brexit Party MEP Ann Widdecombe told The Sun.

Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, mirrored her tone. “The Duchess of Sussex has done a huge favour for the House of Conde Nast (Vogue’s publisher) and rather less for the House of Windsor.”

The issue, entitled Forces for Change, highlights “trailblazing female change-makers” who are set to “re-shape society in radical and positive ways,” the magazine announced.

Introducing the September 2019 issue of British Vogue, guest-edited by HRH The Duchess of Sussex: https://t.co/b3xZpXBiyQ #ForcesForChange pic.twitter.com/YcW4ydOWXN — British Vogue (@BritishVogue) July 28, 2019

Meghan Markle – who champions women's rights and empowerment and works to raise awareness of climate change – has picked 15 women for the cover line-up, who she believes have made an inspiring impact on modern life, and she also had an exclusive interview with former US First Lady Michelle Obama.

The cover features actresses Salma Hayek and Gemma Chan, teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg, LGBT rights advocate Jane Fonda, mental health campaigner Adwoa Aboah, and other women credited with promoting human rights and a more inclusive society.

But among them are some women who can hardly be viewed as supporters of Britain’s royal family, a centuries-old patriarchal institution of which Meghan Markle is an important member.

The list includes New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who said in the past that she wanted her nation to have a conversation on ditching the Queen as the head of state.

Another cover star, Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, has called for Meghan to take over as the next Head of the Commonwealth instead of Prince Charles.

“Actually, I think Meghan Markle should be Head of the Commonwealth,” she said in a TV interview last year. "And you know black people are gorgeous so, of course, a person who wants gorgeousness in their life would do well to look at that.”