In recent times, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has been at the center of accusations of "staging pictures" with the paparazzi. However, a photographer, Jill Ishkanian, has come forward to refute these allegations, stating that Meghan "absolutely does not" tip off photographers about her upcoming outings for staged snapshots.
Ishkanian, a seasoned lenswoman, emphasized that she receives no calls or support from anyone, including the Duchess. She described her work as a solitary endeavor, often challenging when it comes to capturing images of high-profile individuals like Meghan. "No one calls me; trust me. I have absolutely no support; I do everything by myself. It's a total pain in the b--- when you get their picture, to be totally honest," she added.
The former Suits actress and Spotify star was recently spotted at a farmers market in Montecito, an outing that coincided with Kate, Princess of Wales' appearance at Wimbledon. This led to speculation that Meghan was attempting to overshadow Kate's event. Lady Colin Campbell, appearing on GBN, suggested that Meghan "purposely set out to do it because she wanted to rain on Catherine's parade."
Despite Meghan's background as an actress, many analysts argue that it would be challenging to maintain secrecy about alleged covert deals with select paparazzi. However, even in the Sussex biography, "Finding Freedom," authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand acknowledged that Meghan had occasionally set up a paparazzi photo or leaked information to the press before her relationship with Prince Harry.
Ishkanian further validated her claim by sharing details of her encounter with Meghan at the market. She spotted a pink and white striped golf cart with Katy Perry's father holding flowers, standing next to Meghan. She managed to capture the moment on her iPhone, fearing that using a professional camera might cause trouble.
While some commentators theorize that Meghan might strategically plan her outings to coincide with significant royal events or engagements, there is no concrete evidence to support this. For instance, Meghan was seen on a hike near her home in Santa Barbara County the day after King Charles III's historic coronation on May 6.
Some observers suggested that the Duchess was trying to divert attention from the grand Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle. However, these remain speculations, and the truth, as Ishkanian suggests, might be far simpler: Meghan Markle, like anyone else, is just living her life.
