Meghan Markle's recent social media post showcasing a harvest of fruits and vegetables from her Montecito garden has stirred criticism among royal watchers and gardening enthusiasts alike, who questioned the authenticity of the produce and the timing of its harvest. The photo, posted to the account of her lifestyle brand As Ever, featured the Sussexes' rescue beagle Mia inspecting a basket overflowing with spring onions, broccoli, corn, squash, red peppers, carrots, and herbs.
"The unofficial quality inspector of this morning's garden haul," Meghan, 43, captioned the image, which was interpreted as suggesting the vegetables were freshly picked from her California home. Observers online were quick to notice, however, that the vegetables appeared unusually pristine for a garden harvest, with no visible dirt or soil.
"I've never seen vegetables so clean after harvesting," one commenter wrote. Another added, "Huh. She's so good at gardening she can grow all things from all seasons at once." The presence of sweetcorn in particular drew scrutiny, with several critics noting that in California, the crop is typically harvested from June to September. "Who is harvesting corn in May?" asked one user.
According to the California Farmland Trust, most sweetcorn varieties in the region mature in mid-to-late summer. While spring onions, carrots, and broccoli can be harvested earlier in the year, the combination of produce in Meghan's basket raised doubts among followers. "The only place I see all that in season is the grocery store produce section," one wrote.
The controversy comes at a pivotal moment for As Ever, Meghan's lifestyle venture, which she recently said will pause new product releases until the first quarter of 2026. she would "step back, gather data from the launch, and figure out exactly what“ the company's future holds, she told Fast Company. Meghan also hinted at potential expansion into fashion, calling it "an interesting space for me."
Despite the brand's commercial success-its debut product range, which included jams and honeys, sold out in 45 minutes-Meghan's curated image has been a source of ongoing debate in Montecito, where she and Prince Harry live with their children Archie and Lilibet. Local journalist Richard Mineards described Meghan as "practically invisible" in the community, noting that she "cultivates a very controlled image" and rarely participates in neighborhood events.
Mineards recounted an anecdote involving an elderly neighbor who attempted to deliver a historical documentary to the Sussexes but "never got past the gate." In contrast, Harry is seen more regularly in public, cycling in the hills or walking his dog along the beach, followed by a security detail.
Meghan has responded to criticism of her private lifestyle, explaining in interviews that she's focused on motherhood and balancing business ambitions with family life. In a recent podcast episode, she described a morning routine that begins at 6:30 a.m., juggling school drop-offs and early meetings. "Those mom moments energize me to be a better founder, a better employer, a better boss," she said.
