Meghan Markle gave fans a glimpse into her laid-back California lifestyle over the weekend with a serene photo of her picking fruit in her garden.
But what was meant to be a simple, wholesome post quickly became the latest subject of online scrutiny—and royal watchers had plenty to say.
Fruit Picking or Photo Staging?
On Saturday, the Duchess of Sussex shared a photo to the Instagram page of her lifestyle brand As Ever.
The image showed Meghan reaching up into a tree, apparently plucking a fresh apricot from her Montecito estate garden.
She looked relaxed in a white linen shirt and monogrammed straw hat, captioning the post with a playful: “Weekend plans: pick, snack, repeat”—peach emoji included.
But sharp-eyed fans weren’t buying the farm-to-table narrative.
Some pointed out that the apricot she held looked suspiciously ripe compared to the green ones still on the tree.
One user joked that the fruit looked like it was “glowing,” while another commented: “She’s picking green fruit!”
The “Upside Down Apricot” Debate
If the colour differences weren’t enough, Meghan’s grip on the apricot also sparked some hilarious observations.
Viewers noticed she seemed to be holding it from the stem, suggesting she’d already picked it before the photo—and possibly posed for effect.
Comments poured in, suggesting the fruit wasn’t even attached to the branch, with one follower saying:
“It looks like she’s trying to put it back on the tree!” Others accused her of staging the moment altogether, with the fruit likely added last-minute for aesthetics.
To be fair, lighting and photo editing could easily explain the colour differences.
And apricots are indeed in season in Santa Barbara, so it’s not entirely far-fetched.
Still, that didn’t stop critics from having their say.
Not the First Time Meghan’s “Natural” Content Got Picked Apart
This isn’t the first time Meghan’s posts have raised eyebrows.
In recent months, several of her seemingly candid lifestyle photos have been met with skepticism online.
Just last month, she shared a sweet image of her beagle sniffing a basket of freshly harvested garden produce.
That post, too, prompted backlash—with commenters wondering how everything looked so clean, pristine, and apparently mud-free.
There was also the Easter ducklings video that people claimed was “too perfect,” her St. Patrick’s Day waffles that didn’t match her waffle maker, and a sand-writing video for her Instagram relaunch where followers spotted an earlier “2025” attempt off to the side of the shot.
A Closer Look at Meghan’s Garden Style
As for her latest post, fans quickly tracked down her stylish straw hat.
The Mariella Vilar Rancher sells for $105 (or £76), and Meghan had hers customized with a subtle “M” monogram and a camel-coloured leather strap.
The hat has since sold out, with only a waitlist available.
In the photo, Meghan had her hair swept into a loose bun and wore relaxed summerwear—her signature off-duty style.
She also shared another image that day on her personal Instagram, showing herself strolling barefoot on the beach in matching linen separates and oversized sunglasses.
She captioned it simply: “That weekend feeling”, with a sun emoji.
Controlled Comeback and Quiet Branding
While Meghan’s Instagram posts have a laid-back vibe, the Duchess is clearly strategic about her return to social media.
Her account has comments disabled, a move that’s disappointed some fans but also reflects her cautious approach to public engagement.
Since the April 2025 launch of her lifestyle brand As Ever, Meghan has posted a steady stream of curated content.
From homemade-style product drops to rustic California living snapshots, the brand aims to capture the aesthetic of relaxed luxury.
Jams, Teas, and a Hint of Netflix
Earlier this month, Meghan launched a trio of new items under the As Ever label: a Napa Valley rosé, an apricot fruit spread, and a honey jar.
The timing of her apricot photo feels intentional, tying in with the brand’s narrative.
However, the Mail recently revealed that her £6.50 raspberry spread and other items aren’t made in her home kitchen—they’re produced by The Republic of Tea, a commercial manufacturer based in Illinois.
This same company reportedly supplies her £9 herbal teas and £20 orange blossom honey.
Interestingly, the firm also collaborates with Bridgerton—the popular Netflix series the Sussexes are also linked with via their Archewell deal.
From Homemade to Mass-Made
Despite the industrial production, a source close to Meghan defended the process, explaining that the recipes started from versions she made at home.
They’ve simply been adapted to meet wider demand after her last product drop drew over 500,000 visits to her website.
And while her website now lists the apricot spread as “coming soon”, questions remain about where exactly the ingredients are sourced from.
Still, with growing interest in As Ever, these questions haven’t slowed down the brand’s momentum.