Fans Claim Meghan Markle's Rare Lilibet Photo Looks 'Fake' Because of One Detail

In the spirit of love, the Duchess of Sussex took to Instagram to share a sweet tribute to her husband and their children, a post that quickly drew scrutiny from fans.

Meghan Markle marked Valentine's Day by sharing a photo of her husband, Prince Harry, with their daughter, Princess Lilibet. The charming family image lit up timelines on a day devoted to love. However, online commentators fixated on a detail they claimed made the photo appear inauthentic.

The Valentine's Day Post That Sparked a Frenzy

On Saturday, February 14, the 44-year-old duchess posted an image of Harry standing in a field, cradling their 4-year-old daughter, who wore a pink ballet outfit.

The pair's matching red hair stood out in the sunlit scene, while Lilibet clutched a bunch of red balloons in celebration of the holiday.

In the caption, Meghan wrote, "These two + Archie = my forever Valentines ♥️," referencing their 6-year-old son, Prince Archie. The post quickly circulated across social media, where fans zeroed in on one particular detail.

"The Balloon Has No String" – Netizens Cry Foul

Some people immediately questioned the authenticity of the photo, "The image is AI-generated, as some of the helium balloons lack the string tied to the child’s wrist." Others voiced their disbelief, "Why is one of the balloons floating with no string???"

Another netizen simply concluded, "The balloon has no string so looks fake [sic]." A few individuals were blunt in their assessment, writing, "Badly photoshopped 😉."

And some people compared the situation to past controversies, "This picture has been edited. When the Princess of Wales edited a family picture, she was dragged for weeks while she was extremely ill. Why is this okay?"

Echoes of a 2024 Royal Photo Scandal

The netizen was referring to an incident in 2024 when Princess Catherine apologized after a family photo she had edited was pulled by multiple news outlets. The Princess of Wales expressed regret for what she described as "any confusion" surrounding the image, which had been taken by Prince William and released to mark Mother's Day in the U.K.

The incident drew attention to subtle edits, including Princess Charlotte's left hand and inconsistencies in Prince Louis's sweater pattern. The photo had been intended to thank well-wishers for their support during Catherine's recovery and to reassure the public amid speculation about her health.

A Mother's Carefully Curated Glimpses

Meghan has also shared photos of her children over the years. To mark Lilibet's fourth birthday on June 4, 2025, she posted a tribute on Instagram featuring two images. One showed Meghan holding newborn Lilibet against her chest while lying in bed, while the cover image captured Meghan embracing her daughter on a boat out on the ocean.

The duchess captioned the post, "Happy birthday to our beautiful girl! Four years ago today, she came into our lives - and each day is brighter and better because of it. Thanks to all of those sending love and celebrating her special day!"

Lilibet, the daughter of Harry and Meghan, was born in 2021 at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in California, after the couple stepped back from their royal duties in the U.K. the previous year.

The couple chose the name Lilibet Diana to honor two important family figures. The name Lilibet was a nod to Queen Elizabeth II and her childhood nickname, while Diana paid tribute to Harry's late mother, Princess Diana.

Harry was present for the birth, something he later detailed in his memoir, "Spare."In the book, he described a joyful and emotional atmosphere in the delivery room. He said the two ate, and then they danced to the viral "Baby Mama Dance" song around the hospital room.

Harry also wrote about positioning himself so he could be the first person Lilibet saw after birth. Harry detailed the intensity of the delivery, including his concern when he first saw his daughter's coloring and the relief and emotion he felt when she was safely delivered.

He described physically helping bring her into the world with guidance from the doctor, an experience he portrayed as deeply moving and unforgettable.

A Private Christening with Royal Invitations

In 2023, Meghan and Harry marked their daughter's christening when she was 21 months old during a small, private ceremony held at their home in Montecito, California.

A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex shared, "I can confirm that Princess Lilibet Diana was christened on Friday, March 3 by the bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, the Rev John Taylor."

According to reports, the couple had invited senior royal family members, including King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Catherine, Princess of Wales, though they did not attend.

Sources shared that around 20 to 30 guests were present at the gathering. Among those in attendance were Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, and Lilibet's godfather, Tyler Perry, along with an unnamed godmother.

Guests later shared a relaxed afternoon of food and dancing, with Archie reportedly joining his sister on the dance floor. Tyler brought a 10-person gospel choir that performed "Oh Happy Day" and "This Little Light of Mine," the latter of which was played at Meghan and Prince Harry's wedding.

Netflix Moments and Life in Montecito

A series of clips from Meghan and Harry's Netflix documentary also captures sweet family moments with Lilibet over the years. One shows baby Lilibet crawling through the grass, likely at their Montecito home, as someone films the adorable scene.

In another, Meghan carries Lilibet on her chest while tending to chickens in their open-air coop. A different video captures the family gardening alongside Archie and a family friend, with Lilibet wearing a hat and pink boots, clearly enjoying herself.

Another clip shows Harry carrying Lilibet on his shoulder while Meghan leads the way through a stable, with Archie appearing at the end, walking a dog on a leash during their day out.

Meghan's Hopes for Lilibet's Future

As Lilibet grows older, Meghan has spoken openly about her wishes for her daughter's future. Speaking on her podcast Archetypes alongside Paris Hilton, Meghan shared that she hopes Lilibet will grow up prioritizing intelligence, education, and self-worth over appearance.

She connected this view to her own experience earlier in her career, including her time on "Deal or No Deal" on NBC. There, she felt she was valued mainly for her looks rather than her abilities.

The California-based royal also shared that she and the other women were expected to line up for multiple beauty preparations. She described routines that included adding padding to bras, applying false eyelashes, and using hair extensions as part of the show's appearance standards.

She later chose to leave the show, feeling limited by the way she was being portrayed. The duchess said the experience shaped how she hopes her daughter will see herself and her potential.

Meghan Markle's social media has offered small windows into the playful, lighthearted moments she shares with her daughter. Meanwhile, her public comments also highlight how deliberate she is about raising her with the goal of helping her grow into a happy and successful future.