Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, alongside their two young children, participated in a Thanksgiving volunteer event at a Los Angeles kitchen last week. The family was photographed helping to prepare meals for the community, an outing intended to highlight their commitment to service through their Archewell Foundation. However, the seemingly heartwarming family moment quickly became a focal point for intense online debate, with public attention shifting from the charitable act to pointed critiques of the family’s appearance and the authenticity of the images themselves.
While many supporters praised the couple for involving their children, Archie, six, and Lilibet, four, in charitable work, a wave of criticism centered on Meghan’s choice to wear her hair down while handling food, with numerous commenters calling it unsanitary. Others noted the presence of her Cartier bracelet, questioning the optics of wearing high-end jewelry while volunteering. The focus then pivoted to the children, particularly young Lilibet, with observers commenting extensively on her height and appearance, comparing her size to her older brother and sparking unfounded speculation about her age.
The scrutiny escalated further as some online commentators alleged the photos were digitally altered, suggesting the children, especially Lilibet, had been poorly photoshopped into the images. This event is the latest in a series of public moments involving the Sussex children that have sparked intense discussion. Earlier this year, Meghan shared rare behind-the-scenes photos from her Netflix series featuring Archie and Lilibet, which, while offering a glimpse into their family life, also fueled the ongoing public fascination and analysis of their every move.
The episode underscores the challenging landscape the Sussex family navigates in the public eye. Even a straightforward act of community service is dissected, often overshadowing the intended message of charity and family. The intense reaction highlights how, for this family, public perception remains a complex and unforgiving arena, where even a Thanksgiving meal prep event can become a lightning rod for critique, conspiracy theories, and debate.
