Amidst the ongoing photo controversy, Meghan Markle has faced allegations of orchestrating a smear campaign against her sister-in-law, Princess Catherine. According to a secondhand account shared on Reddit, it is claimed that Meghan herself instigated the AP strike, meticulously examining the photos and nitpicking minor flaws before reportedly contacting WME (William Morris Endeavor) agency, urging them to leverage their connections and remove the pictures from the news cycle. The motive behind her alleged actions was speculated to be a desire to ensure that Catherine wouldn't overshadow her SXSW interview and garner more publicity.
In a rather treacherous fashion, Meghan intertwined herself with her attempts to overshadow Catherine, as a PR team allegedly began circulating press releases linking her to the exaggerated incident. However, contrary to Meghan's intentions, the controversy surrounding the photos seemed to backfire, generating even more interest. Interestingly, the royal family refrained from providing any news outlets with the photo, instead opting to release it through their own social media channels. This minor issue was blown out of proportion, although Meghan's involvement in the chain of events surrounding the photo seemed to lead directly to WME and herself.
Speculation about Meghan's jealousy towards Catherine has been growing, and this incident only adds to the concern. Back in 2019, Harry and Meghan faced scrutiny when fans noticed discrepancies in their Christmas card photo, suggesting possible editing. While the source told Page Six that the couple would have faced severe backlash if they had distributed manipulated images, it seemed that different standards applied to the two royal couples.
The accusations of photoshopping arose due to Megan's face appearing sharply focused while Harry's was overly blurry, even though they were reportedly at the same distance from the camera. Social media users raised questions and criticized the apparent inconsistencies, with some alleging that Megan's face had been added in post-production. The controversy surrounding the Christmas card photo triggered a global frenzy, leaving the Princess of Wales saddened by the unintended consequences.
Picture agencies swiftly withdrew or discontinued the image when discrepancies were discovered, with the BBC leading news bulletins throughout the day. Ingrid Seward, a royal expert and editor of Majesty magazine, commented on the matter, suggesting that Meghan's actions may have stemmed from jealousy towards the strong bond between Harry and Catherine. She speculated that Harry had always admired Catherine, even considering her a sister figure, and Megan's alleged envy might have been fueled by her unfulfilled expectations of becoming a princess and living in Windsor Castle. Meanwhile, they resided in Nottingham Cottage, which Harry jokingly referred to as "my HOV."
While these claims and allegations have sparked considerable attention, it's important to note that they remain speculative and unverified. The truth behind Meghan's alleged involvement in the AP strike and the motivations behind her actions are yet to be substantiated. As with any controversy, it is essential to approach the situation with critical analysis and await official statements or evidence before drawing definitive conclusions.
