too smooth!
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry named in Time’s 100 most influential list as airbrushed cover & pics leave fans baffled
PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle were today named in Time's list of top 100 most influential people as they appeared in a glitzy cover shoot for the magazine - with apparently heavily airbrushed pictures.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were praised in the publication for "running towards struggle" in a world where "everyone has an opinion about people they don’t know".
5
5
5
A snap of the pair, shot by Pari Dukovic, appears on the front of the magazine with Harry wearing all black as he stands behind Meghan, wearing all white.
Two other glam photos were published by the magazine, with the couple donning matching green outfits in front of a yellow wall.
And in a more candid shot, the parents can be seen walking through a garden holding hands at they beam at each other.
The couple join prestigious names who have also graced the magazine's cover - following the likes of Barack Obama, the first black US president.
But fans were quick to comment on how "awkward" the photos appeared to be.
One person wrote on Twitter: "This photo looks photoshopped. Also, the way they are positioned is very revealing: it's the Meghan show and Harry is just the supporting actor."
Most read in The Sun
'COMPLETELY AWKWARD'
Another added: "Harry looks completely awkward peering behind his wife like this."
Someone else wrote: "Wow, this photo speaks volumes. There is no hiding who's in control."
Writing on their website shortly after the news broke, Meghan and Harry said they were "humbled to be part of this year’s TIME 100" and went on to praise the Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Okonjo-Iweala, who was also shortlisted.
They wrote: "Each of us can change our communities, all of us can change the world."
A short profile accompanies the image, written by José Andrés whose food relief charity works closely with the Archewell Foundation.
They don’t just opine. They run toward the struggle.
José Andrés
It reads: "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.
"They don’t just opine. They run toward the struggle."
The friend and partner goes onto add that Meghan and Harry have been "blessed by birth and talent" but "burned by fame".
He writes: "Springing into action is not the easy choice for a young duke and duchess who have been blessed through birth and talent, and burned by fame."
"It would be much safer to enjoy their good fortune and stay silent. That's not what Harry and Meghan do, or who they are," he adds.
Explaining what makes the Sussexes so influential, Andrés says: "They turn compassion into boots on the ground through their Archewell Foundation.
"They give voice to the voiceless through media production.
"Hand in hand with nonprofit partners, they take risks to help communities in need."
Joining Meghan and Harry on the list of Time's most influential 'icons' this year is tennis star Naomi Osaka as well as singers Britney Spears and Dolly Parton.
Billie Eilish is listed as a 'pioneer' on the breakdown of stars, while Olympic gymnast Simone Biles is considered one of the magazine's most influential 'titans'.
Previous influential cover stars have included Leonardo DiCaprio, Barack Obama and Nicki Minaj.
There is no mention in Harry and Meghan's entry of their rift with the Royal Family or the series of bombshell interviews they have given about their lives as royals.
And today Harry's family appeared to put their differences aside as they marked his 37th birthday.
🔵 Read our Meghan and Harry live blog for the latest updates
Wills and Kate tweeted on their Kensington Royal account: "Happy Birthday Prince Harry!"
The Queen also paid tribute to her grandson, saying: "Wishing The Duke of Sussex a happy birthday today!"
READ MORE SUN STORIES
His father Prince Charles wished his son a "very Happy Birthday" with some touching pictures of him and a young Harry.
It marks the first display of internet affection between the estranged family members since before Prince Harry left the Royal fold - and offers a glimmer of hope that Harry and Meghan's daughter Lilibet will soon be able to meet the Queen.
5
5
Prince Harry tells of 'dark places' and hard recovery for wounded veterans at Warrior Games event with Jill Biden
Topics