Some users raised doubts about the photo's organic nature due to the camera angle and what appeared to be employees attempting to step out of the frame, possibly to assist the photographer in capturing Meghan's smiling moment. One Twitter user remarked, "Compared to other celebrity drive-through pictures, this one is so high-res. Was this a paid appearance?" Another commented, "It's supposed to make us like her more because she goes to In-N-Out Burger. It's obviously a set-up paparazzi shot with a long-range lens."
Speculation continued as some suggested that a team member might have orchestrated the photo by getting out of the car to take the picture and then quickly hopping back in for a swift exit—a true "in and out."
Both Meghan and Harry have expressed their love for the famous burger joint since relocating to their Montecito mansion in Santa Barbara. Meghan mentioned in an interview with Variety that there's an In-N-Out Burger midway between Los Angeles and their home, adding that it's "really fun to go through the drive-through, and they know our order."
Harry also shared details of their typical orders in an exclusive chat with People earlier, describing In-N-Out as the best. He revealed his usual order of two double-doubles, animal-style fries, and a coke, while Meghan opts for a cheeseburger and fries with a side of jalapenos, and he sticks to ketchup and a special sauce from In-N-Out.
Notably, this wasn't the first time Meghan was accused of staging paparazzi photos while in California. She was photographed wearing a Newcom disc in August while Prince Harry was in Tokyo for work, sparking allegations of promoting the wellness brand. However, the brand denied any partnership with her. Meghan was also accused of staging photos when she visited a farmer's market in Montecito in July. The photographer, Julish Kanian, who took pictures of Meghan buying flowers, denied any setup, explaining that it was a random encounter with the Duchess, and she seized the opportunity to take photos.
