Meghan Markle has once again set social media abuzz, this time over what might be the most suspicious head of cabbage ever showcased in an Instagram post.
Her newly launched lifestyle venture was meant to kick off with a heartwarming celebration of spring, featuring a carefully curated image of herself in jeans, strolling through a perfectly manicured garden, and carrying a basket of freshly picked vegetables. However, one particular detail derailed the idyllic narrative—the cabbage looked as authentic as a supermarket display, and the internet was not convinced.
It didn’t take long for online sleuths to analyze every aspect of the image, and the verdict was unanimous—the cabbage was about as real as a scripted reality TV romance. Observers noted the complete absence of dirt, not a trace on Meghan’s hands, clothing, or even on the flawless vegetables. If this were truly a hands-on gardening moment, wouldn’t there be at least some visible evidence of actual gardening? The most damning theory suggested that the cabbage wasn’t even real produce. Multiple users pointed out that the leafy green in question bore an uncanny resemblance to ornamental cabbage—the type commonly used for decorative landscaping rather than as an ingredient in a fresh spring salad. Given that ornamental cabbage is typically planted in the late fall and thrives in winter, the idea that Meghan had somehow managed to cultivate it in her backyard for a spring harvest seemed highly unlikely. The consensus? It was most likely a prop.
While the cabbage was the main focus of speculation, the entire composition of the photo raised more questions than it answered. From Meghan’s oddly staged grip on the basket handle to the strangely elongated proportions of her arms, the image had an air of artificiality that social media couldn't ignore. Then there was the footwear. In an utterly impractical choice for tending to a garden, Meghan opted for mules—slip-on shoes that would be more at home on a patio than in the dirt. If there had been any lingering doubts about whether this was a genuine gardening moment, the footwear alone was enough to cement the idea that this was nothing more than a staged fantasy.
None of this is particularly surprising. The former actress, turned royal, turned lifestyle entrepreneur, has built her public persona on carefully constructed and highly polished imagery. Whether it’s conveniently timed paparazzi shots that never fail to flatter or this latest attempt at projecting a rustic, down-to-earth aesthetic, the goal has always been about curating the perfect image. One commenter put it succinctly: “Her garden is maintained by a crew of dozens. She’s cosplaying a gardener. This is just about merching that basket.”
At the core of it all, this isn’t about gardening, sustainability, or even a genuine love of springtime. It’s about branding—selling a vision of effortless, organic living while never truly engaging in the work it requires. Whether this was simply an example of artistic photo staging or yet another performance in Meghan Markle’s ongoing role as the most relatable duchess in history, one thing remains certain—if that cabbage were any more fake, it would have its own reality show.
