During her time in Los Angeles, the Duchess of Sussex had a friendly encounter with the 42-year-old journalist Jen Sue and two other friends on Thursday night. They took a selfie together, which Jen Sue shared on her Instagram account, expressing excitement about meeting Meghan.
The photo was posted on the same day that People exclusively reported Meghan and Prince Harry's plans to attend a World Mental Health Day event in New York City.
In the photo with Meghan, there are two other women, but it's worth noting that the youngest girl, who appears to be in her 20s, was at the forefront, holding the camera. Fans quickly realized that this wasn't her first encounter with the Duchess. She appeared as a teenager last year in a popular video where she asked to hug the Duchess during an interactive event following the Queen's passing. Observers noted the striking similarity in their features, including their noses and dental structure. This has raised suspicions that the encounters were set up.
The alleged Instagram fan is known for consistently spotting Meghan in crowds wherever she goes. Someone on Tumblr even compared her teenage fan photos to a LinkedIn photo, revealing her as the same person but with a different identity. Last year, she was a teenager who shared an emotional hug with Meghan outside Windsor Castle. This garnered significant attention and sympathy for the young girl. Meghan spent time chatting with her and gave her a hug, leaving a lasting impression on the girl.
Both times, it's speculated that they were possibly paid £1,000 for signing non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and sending photos of themselves to showcase their outfits. They would then take more pictures at the walkabout spot to help Meghan easily identify them. In one instance, one of the girls delivered the famous "Can I hug you?" line scripted by Meghan and quickly hugged her, while the other girl recorded the entire interaction and sent it back to be sold.
In summary, this recent selfie appears to be part of Meghan's effort to connect with younger fans and people in Commonwealth countries. However, the influencer involved in this alleged setup is relatively unknown, and in the case of Jen Sue, her following is limited within the Commonwealth. Some have questioned Meghan's intentions, suggesting she may be attempting to improve her public image and dispel the notion that she seeks attention at the expense of others.