Burberry model and former Vogue cover star Sarah Ann Macklin has publicly disclosed her decision to undergo egg freezing, a deeply personal step aimed at securing her future fertility. The 36-year-old fashion icon, who once caught the eye of Prince Harry in 2016 prior to his relationship with Meghan Markle, chose International Women's Day to share this intimate aspect of her life journey.
A Personal Revelation on Social Media
In a heartfelt Instagram update, Macklin posted a series of photographs documenting the beginning of her egg freezing process. She accompanied the images with a candid caption, writing: 'One of the most personal things I did this year was freeze my eggs.' She expressed surprise at the overwhelming response from other women, noting: 'What struck me most wasn't the medical side to it but how many women reached out afterwards to say they were going through the same thing.'
Reflections on Women's Shared Struggles
Macklin, whose past relationships include a notable romance with Marks & Spencer underwear model David Gandy, elaborated on the broader implications of her experience. She stated: 'It reminded me how many decisions women carry about careers, relationships, fertility and timing.' Emphasising the significance of International Women's Day, she added: 'International Women’s Day feels like a good moment to acknowledge that. Sending love to anyone navigating these questions right now.' Concluding her message, she praised female resilience, saying: 'The resilience of women never ceases to amaze me.'
Past Royal Connections and Romantic Entanglements
Macklin's personal life has previously drawn media attention due to her brief involvement with Prince Harry. As revealed by The Mail on Sunday in 2016, the Prince secretly dated Macklin while simultaneously courting American TV personality Meghan Markle. Sources indicate that Harry and Macklin enjoyed a series of discreet dates in June and July of that year, coinciding with Markle's visits to London.
The Dynamics of a Royal Pursuit
Friends of Macklin disclosed that Harry first encountered the model at a private gathering, where he obtained her contact details and subsequently inundated her with text messages—a tactic reportedly similar to his early courtship of Markle. This romantic attention reportedly sparked jealousy from Macklin's former partner, David Gandy, leading to a temporary rivalry. A source close to Macklin recounted: 'At one point she had the country’s most famous male model and a prince vying for her affection, and the novelty was not lost on her.'
Ultimately, Macklin declined Gandy's advances in favour of dating Prince Harry, though the relationship gradually dissipated. Another friend explained: 'They got on, but are quite different. She is very clean living and barely drinks and in that respect they were on a different wavelength. Harry also seemed a bit non-committal and it never really got off the ground.' The liaison concluded amicably before Harry departed for Africa in August 2016.
Professional Endeavours and Current Focus
Beyond her modelling career with prestigious agencies like Select Model Management and brands such as Burberry, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Matthew Williamson, Macklin has transitioned into wellness advocacy. She currently hosts the podcast Live Well Be Well, which addresses mental and physical health issues within the fashion industry, reflecting her commitment to holistic wellbeing amidst her personal fertility journey.
