Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, recently made headlines after being spotted at an In-N-Out Burger joint in California on September 10. The visit, which took place while Prince Harry was in Germany for the 2023 Invictus Games, has since stirred controversy, with some accusing the Duchess of staging the photo.
The image, which quickly circulated online, showcased a makeup-free Meghan, her hair tied in a ponytail, donning dark shades, and smiling as she looked through the drive-thru window. She was in the driver's seat with an unidentified female passenger beside her. Both Meghan and Prince Harry have previously expressed their fondness for the popular burger chain. In a past interview with Variety, Meghan mentioned a specific In-N-Out Burger location they frequent, saying, "It's really fun to go through the drive-thru and surprise them. They know our order."
Prince Harry, in a separate conversation with People, labeled In-N-Out as "the best," revealing his usual order as "two double-doubles, animal style, fries and a Coke." He also shared Meghan's preference for a cheeseburger and fries, accompanied by a side of jalapeños.
However, the seemingly innocuous visit to the fast-food chain has been met with skepticism. Social media platforms, including X (formerly known as Twitter), were abuzz with accusations that the Duchess had staged the photo. One user commented, "Are we supposed to like her more because she goes to In-N-Out Burger? It's obviously a set up shot with a long-range lens given the clarity."
Others defended Meghan, suggesting that the photo could have been taken by an In-N-Out employee. One user explained the typical drive-thru process at the burger joint, where an employee takes orders from customers in the queue, speculating that this employee might have informed others of Meghan's presence.
This isn't the first time Meghan has faced such allegations. Previously, she was accused of staging photos during a visit to a farmer's market in Montecito and while wearing a NuCalm disc in August. In both instances, the claims were refuted.
While the debate continues, one thing is clear: Meghan Markle's every move remains under the microscope, and even a simple trip to a fast-food joint can become a major talking point.
