Joe Biden’s aides told Kamala Harris not to make a “first-world” issue of a Vogue cover while the president’s predominantly white staff did not show her “the respect she deserved”, a forthcoming book claims.

The image of Ms Harris in trainers, skinny trousers and a leather jacket was featured on the cover of US Vogue’s February 2021 issue to mark her assumption of the vice presidency.

Ms Harris was caught off guard and complained to Anna Wintour, the Vogue editor, that she felt “belittled” by the decision, according to forthcoming book This Will Not Pass: Trump, Biden, and the Battle for America’s Future.

Ms Harris had reportedly expected a more formal shot of her posing in a blue suit to be featured in print. That ultimately became the magazine’s digital cover.

“Harris was wounded. She felt belittled by the magazine, asking aides: Would Vogue depict another world leader this way?”, according to an excerpt of This Will Not Pass obtained by Politico.