It was meant to be a heartwarming holiday photo op — until the internet took one look and tore it apart.
In a rare move, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle brought both of their children — Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four — to a Thanksgiving charity event in Los Angeles, turning what should have been a low-key act of service into prime internet fodder.
Young Royals Join the Kitchen Line
On November 26, the Sussexes participated in a community outreach at Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles (OBKLA), a nonprofit where volunteers prepare meals for those facing food insecurity.
The event, organized through the Archewell Foundation, highlighted their ongoing commitment to service — this time as a family.
Photos from the event showed Archie and Lilibet helping alongside their parents. One supporter wrote, “Harry and Meghan have been giving back since they were children and now they are teaching their kids to give back ❤️❤️❤️.”
Meghan’s Hair and Cartier Bracelet Spark a Firestorm
While many praised the initiative, the family’s participation triggered a wave of reactions online — particularly focusing on Meghan’s appearance. Several commenters criticized her for wearing her hair down while preparing food.
“No hair net, very unsanitary!” one person wrote.
Another added, “It’s the long hair not pulled back for me. 🤢🤢 Also, don’t forget your Cartier bracelet whilst serving people in need.”
Others weighed in with similar remarks:
“Meghan’s hair should be tied back,”
“Why is her hair not up?”
“She’s the only one in a different hat and with her hair down.”
What began as a good deed quickly turned into a hygiene debate.
‘There Is No Way That Is a 4-Year-Old’: Lilibet’s Height Stuns Observers
Another round of scrutiny soon followed — this time aimed at young Lilibet. Social media users questioned her height, size, hair color, and even compared her to Archie.
“Lilly is a pretty big girl for being 4 yrs old. Archie looks smaller,” one commenter said.
Another wrote, “That redhead girl is Lilibet? A four-year-old? She’s as tall as girls twice her age.”
More comments poured in:
“There is no way that is a 4-year-old.”
“Weird how the kid goes from ginger to blonde.”
“My daughter didn’t have hair that long at 4!”
Accusations of Photo Fakery Enter the Chat
Soon the conversation veered into conspiracy territory. Some users claimed the photos looked digitally manipulated.
One person wrote, “Is this kid photoshopped in? The braids look different, the angle of the dress looks off, and there’s weird lighting. The hand-clasping with Meghan looks unnatural.”
The event spiraled from a charitable outing into a full-blown online conspiracy discussion. And it wasn’t the first time Archie and Lilibet were thrust into the spotlight this year.
Meghan Shares Behind-the-Scenes Photos of Archie and Lilibet
Earlier in the year, Meghan Markle surprised royal watchers with a rare Instagram post showing candid images of her children on the set of her Netflix lifestyle series, With Love, Meghan.
The photos included:
Archie and Lilibet sitting together wearing black headphones, watching a monitor
Lilibet sitting alone in a director’s chair
Archie holding a clapperboard, his face covered with a heart emoji
The caption described how music helped keep the “vibe alive” during filming.
Season 2 of the show continues Meghan’s themes of cooking, gardening, and home entertaining, with production filmed mostly outdoors to maintain privacy around their home.
In a previous interview, Meghan explained that the children visiting the set was special because they had never seen her working before.
Meghan’s Invictus Return Sparked Earlier Criticism
Months prior, Meghan faced backlash for a different social media moment after returning early from the Invictus Games in Canada.
She posted an Instagram Story showing small gifts and snacks she brought home for Archie and Lilibet. Some users mocked her for bringing fruit and food across borders and questioned why her children did not attend the games.
Others expressed sympathy for the children, while some supported Meghan, saying it was sweet that she brought back souvenirs and was excited to return home to her kids.
Despite the criticism, others defended her appearance at Invictus, noting she was supporting her husband and veterans.
A Continually Watched and Debated Public Figure
From volunteering in a community kitchen to behind-the-scenes glimpses of family life, Meghan Markle’s every move continues to attract intense public attention — and equally intense reactions.
Whether it’s her hair, her jewelry, her children’s appearances, or what snacks she carries in her luggage, Meghan remains one of the most closely examined public figures of the modern era.
