Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, found herself embroiled in controversy following accusations of insincere displays of emotion at Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in September 2022.
Despite being among the mourners gathered at Westminster Abbey to bid farewell to the longest-reigning British monarch, Meghan was accused of shedding "fake tears" during the somber occasion.
Social media erupted with claims that Meghan had orchestrated her tears, purportedly crying on cue to elicit sympathy from the public. Images captured during the funeral depict the former actress appearing visibly emotional, with tears streaming down her face.
However, detractors argued that Meghan's grief was manufactured, pointing to a TikTok video dissecting her alleged insincerity. The video suggested that Meghan's tears flowed solely from her left eye, leading some to question the authenticity of her emotions.
The scrutiny intensified when a purported clip from Meghan's former lifestyle blog, The Tig, resurfaced, wherein she allegedly boasted of her ability to cry on demand, specifically from her left eye. The clip fueled speculation that Meghan's emotional display at the funeral was contrived.
Amid the controversy, Meghan's supporters rallied to her defense, condemning the baseless accusations and decrying the scrutiny placed upon her grief.
The accusations against Meghan Markle underscore the intense scrutiny faced by public figures during moments of vulnerability, highlighting the complexities of navigating grief under public scrutiny.