Prominent journalist Graydon Carter, renowned for his tenure as the editor of Vanity Fair, recently provided intriguing commentary on Meghan Markle, dubbing her “The Undine Spragg of Montecito.” His statement offers a critical perspective on the Duchess of Sussex’s journey from an actress in Hollywood to her transition into royal life and subsequently stepping away from the monarchy to reside with Prince Harry in Montecito, California. This remark was made during a March 27, 2025 interview with Interview Magazine, where Carter shared his initial impressions when asked about Markle.
For readers unfamiliar with the reference, Undine Spragg is the central figure in Edith Wharton’s novel, The Custom of the Country. This character is depicted as a Midwestern girl striving to break into the elite circles of New York City society in the early 1900s.
Understanding Undine Spragg: A Symbol of Ambition
Wharton crafted Undine Spragg’s narrative in her 1913 tragicomedy, reflecting the social dynamics of her time. Spragg is portrayed as a determined young woman who relocates to New York City, aiming to assimilate into its affluent social scene. Her character is one of ambition and social climbing, often employing questionable tactics to ascend the social hierarchy.
Undine hails from a modest background, being the daughter of financier Abner E. Spragg and his wife, Leota. Throughout the story, she navigates multiple marriages with men like Elmer Moffatt, Ralph Marvell, and Raymond De Chelles, each relationship serving as a stepping stone in her quest for status and recognition.
Even after divorcing her husbands and remarrying, her journey remains marked by adversity. Undine’s interactions reflect a complex web of manipulation, and yet, despite her successes, she wrestles with a profound sense of dissatisfaction, embodying traits of vanity and self-interest. The New York Post highlights her tendency to backstab in pursuit of her goals, resulting in a haunting sense of failure that accompanies her victories.
Graydon Carter’s Insights on Meghan Markle
In his ongoing reflections about Meghan Markle, Carter previously mentioned that he believed Prince Harry and Markle might “regret”their decision to leave royal duties. In mid-2023, during an interview with the Telegraph, he described Montecito as “a lonely, beautiful place” with minimal activities. He hinted that this lifestyle choice could ultimately “haunt them”in time.
In another interview with Page Six early in 2025, Carter noted that he had been unaware of the significance of featuring Markle on the cover of Vanity Fair in 2017 until he realized she was about to marry Harry. He suggested that Markle had ambitions to discuss her philanthropic endeavors when they first spoke, rather than focusing on her future marriage.
“I would think she would feel great sorrow for her son to have been pulled away from his family like this, especially his brother but also his father… Anytime someone comes between siblings that’s a disaster, horrible for a family.”
This is not the first instance where Meghan Markle has been likened to Undine Spragg. In 2021, author Claire Messud remarked in the New York Times Style Magazine that the archetype of social climbers is prevalent in modern settings, comparing Markle’s ascent to that of Undine. Messud emphasized that many contemporary women who marry into wealth create calculated alliances for their futures, positing Markle as a representative of this phenomenon.
“Consider the humbler or parochial origins of many a rich or powerful man’s beautiful wife or girlfriend. For these women, marriage often works like a business, a carefully calculated investment in the future,”Claire shared.
As of this writing, Meghan Markle has yet to publicly address Graydon Carter’s latest comments or offer a response to Claire Messud’s observations.