The picture captures Meghan Markle and her two-year-old daughter, Lilibet, purportedly waving with great enthusiasm during the Mark U.S. Independence Day parade in Montecito.
A video shared on the official Instagram account of Rosewood Miramar Beach Hotel showcased Megan and Lilibet standing by the roadside, eagerly watching Model T Fords drive by as they waved at the participants. In the video, Meghan was seen crouching down, ensuring a protective arm around Lilibet.
She sported light wash flare jeans, a white tee, and a black and white sweater casually tied around her neck. Earlier, Lilibet was also photographed in the arms of her father, Prince Harry, at the parade.
However, the authenticity of Meghan's presence in the photo has come under scrutiny, with conflicting opinions emerging from fans and commentators. On YouTube, a user named Celt News posted a video discussing the Sussexes and their children during the 4th of July celebrations. In the video, a cleaned-up version of the photo was shared, leading some to conclude that it was not Meghan in the picture.
The argument put forth revolves around notable differences, such as teeth, with the claim that the teeth visible in the photo do not resemble Meghan's. Moreover, there are observations about the child's appearance, suggesting that the child depicted is not consistent with previously seen images. The hair color of the child also becomes a point of contention, seemingly changing from red to blonde depending on who is holding her—Meghan or Harry.
Many fans have expressed their belief that the July 4th photos featuring Harry and Meghan are heavily photoshopped. One commentator, Kell, echoed these sentiments, stating that the images had been extensively manipulated using Adobe Photoshop. Other YouTubers have reportedly analyzed the metadata, revealing discrepancies and indicating that the photo may have been altered from the original, which was taken on a phone.
Additionally, doubts have been raised about the vehicle present in the photo, as it was purportedly not used in the 2023 July 4th parade but rather in the 2022 parade. This discrepancy has led to suspicions that the photo is a year old, or that the vehicle was digitally inserted. Furthermore, there are claims that the individuals in the picture may not even be Meghan, Lilibet, or Harry, as each figure appears to have been separately photoshopped into the image.
Supporting Celt's perspective, some commenters criticized the alleged photoshopping attempts, deeming them amateurish and deceitful. They expressed frustration with the continuous use of the children as a means to garner attention and argued that Megan's teeth in the photo did not match her known dental features. They further expressed weariness with the abundance of fabricated internet accounts, puff pieces regarding Meghan's future plans, and the growing predictability of these media strategies.
Opinions continue to diverge, with debates ranging from the authenticity of the photographs to the well-being of the children involved. The ongoing controversies have fueled discussions about the Sussexes' intentions, the impact on their public image, and the role of the media in disseminating accurate information.
