Meghan Markle’s latest cosy outing with Prince Harry aimed to “send a message”, sources have claimed. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex looked all loved up as they were pictured holding hands while visiting a Cotswolds pub last Thursday.
Planned Photo Opportunity?
In pictures published by The Sun, Harry and Meghan were seen entering the Falkland Arms pub, which is close to Great Tew in Oxfordshire. According to the newspaper, the duchess opted for a £18.25 portion of gluten-free beer-battered haddock and chips with mushy peas and tartare sauce. Harry went for a £17.95 chicken, ham and leek pie with seasonal greens, creamy mashed potatoes and gravy.
Now, new reports have accused the duchess of “orchestrating” the photo-op to send a message. Celebrity journalist Rob Shutter wrote on his Substack: “Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's cosy new pub pictures may look spontaneous — but sources close to the couple tell Naughty But Nice the photo opportunity was anything but accidental.”
Sources Speak Out
A source claimed: “This has Meghan’s fingerprints all over it. She understands publicity, she understands pictures, and she understands exactly what message a photograph can send. They wanted to be seen together.”
Meanwhile, a media source added: “No pap got incredibly lucky here. They’re holding hands, completely unobstructed and perfectly positioned. Everything about these pictures says planned photo opportunity.”
The Sussex couple are said to have acted like locals when inside the boozer. A source told The Sun: “Everyone here gets the royal treatment — it doesn’t matter who you are. We’re lucky to get lots of different people visiting us, and everyone is treated like a local. When they visited, Harry and Meghan just acted like locals.”
New Surprises Teased
It comes as the Duchess of Sussex teased “new surprises” in a new social media update. Meghan shared a new photograph on her brand, As Ever’s, Instagram account, teasing “new surprises”. She was shown in a different kitchen than her usual one in Montecito, cooking in a pot over a gas stove. She was dressed in a black outfit and a black and white checked apron. The caption read: “The season of giving is almost here, and we have a few surprises in store.”
